With the Haryana Assembly elections approaching, Naina Chautala, a leader from the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) and mother of former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, has made a controversial remark, calling Anoop Dhanak, who recently defected to the BJP, a “black snake.” Her comment came during the inauguration of JJP candidate Krishna Gangwa’s election office in Adampur.
Naina Chautala criticized Dhanak, a former JJP member, accusing him of betrayal. “We gave love and respect to Anoop, but even a two-faced snake is better than him. At least a snake knows which way it will bite. God gave Anoop the face of a black snake,” she said.
Dhanak, elected as a JJP candidate in the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, had served as Minister of State in the coalition government between the JJP and BJP. His long-standing loyalty to the Chautala family appeared strong, as he was among the early supporters of Ajay and Dushyant Chautala after the JJP’s formation in 2018.
However, Dhanak recently switched to the BJP and will run for the Uklana constituency in the 2024 elections. His defection, along with other former JJP leaders, has been a strategic boost for the BJP ahead of the October 5 Assembly elections.
Naina Chautala expressed disappointment over his decision, emphasizing that the JJP had supported leaders from backward and scheduled caste communities like Dhanak, and accused him of betrayal. She urged JJP supporters to campaign against Dhanak, saying, “If you have relatives in Uklana, you must work to ask for votes against him.”
In response, Dhanak expressed his respect for Naina Chautala, saying, “I have served their family for 20-25 years and have given Naina Chautala respect as a mother. My complexion is the same today as it was 20 years ago.” He added that his departure from the JJP was a personal choice after years of service.
Polling for Haryana’s 90 Assembly seats will take place on October 5, with results expected on October 8.
