The Haryana Assembly elections have taken an unexpected turn as both the BJP and Congress are struggling to contain growing rebellion within their ranks over ticket allotment. Several senior leaders from both parties have filed their nominations as independents, going against the party line, creating a tumultuous atmosphere ahead of the polls.
In the BJP camp, the spotlight is on Mahendergarh, where senior leader and five-time MLA Ram Bilas Sharma has submitted his nomination papers after fearing exclusion from the official candidate list. Sharma, a former minister and state BJP president, made the move following intense deliberations with his supporters. Despite his long-standing service to the party, the delay in officially naming him as the candidate has sparked controversy, fuelled by RSS worker Kailash Chand filing his nomination as the BJP candidate, challenging Sharma’s stronghold.
The party’s internal conflict took a sharper turn when Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh came out strongly in defense of Sharma, praising him as a towering figure in the BJP’s Haryana unit. “When Ram Bilas Sharma’s name is mentioned at any BJP gathering, even the most prominent leaders seem to pale in comparison. In Haryana, no other name has flown the BJP flag higher than Ram Bilas Sharma’s,” Singh said.
“Whether the party grants him a ticket or not, no one has the right to insult him. If a case had to be filed, it should have been done earlier. Using a last-minute case as an excuse and claiming they’re still considering his candidacy is nothing short of rubbing salt in the wounds,” he added.
The discontent isn’t isolated. In Ladwa, BJP leader Sandeep Garg, frustrated by being overlooked for a ticket, has entered the fray as an independent candidate against Chief Minister Nayab Saini. Garg, a well-known businessman and social worker with significant influence among the Baniya community, could pose a serious threat to Saini’s chances, particularly if he rallies significant community support.
In Uklana, BJP candidate Anoop Dhanak is facing local backlash for allegedly ignoring farmers’ grievances during his tenure as a minister and JJP MLA. His candidacy, by overlooking local BJP leaders, has sparked protests. In Hisar, Minister Kamal Gupta is facing internal revolt as former MLA Savitri Jindal has announced her candidacy as an independent. Adding to the chaos, industrialist Subhash Chandra has refused to back Gupta, signaling further fractures. within the party’s base in this key constituency.
Moreover, in Gannaur is witnessing discontent as senior BJP leader Devender Kadyan has announced his departure from the party after being denied a ticket. The BJP has instead chosen to field Devender Kaushik, the brother of former MP Ramesh Kaushik, fueling further frustration among Kadyan’s supporters.
Meanwhile, the Congress is faring no better, with growing rebellion from its own leaders. Even as the party has yet to finalize candidates for 49 assembly constituencies, numerous leaders have already filed nominations, defying party discipline.
In Kalayat, a fierce battle is shaping up between two contenders. Vikas Saharan, son of Congress MP Jai Prakash, has already filed his nomination, while social activist-turned-politician Shweta Dhull, backed by senior leader Randeep Surjewala, is poised to submit hers soon. This internal power struggle is likely to intensify as both candidates vie for the party’s official endorsement.
Former MLA Lalit Nagar from Tigaon has also thrown his hat in the ring, declaring his intention to contest as a Congress candidate, despite the party not officially announcing him. His defiance signals deeper divisions within Congress, which is struggling to maintain unity as the election approaches.
Adding to the Congress’s woes, Ajit Phogat, a long-time party loyalist and former chairman, has rebelled by filing his nomination as an independent from Dadri. Phogat, who has served the Congress for over 20 years and held several key positions in the Youth Congress, decided to take matters into his own hands, showcasing the party’s ongoing struggle to maintain cohesion.