BJP faces major revolt in Haryana: Who are the rebels
The Bharatiya Janata Party is facing a crushing internal rebellion following the release of its first candidate list for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. The list, which includes 67 candidates for the 90-member assembly, has led to widespread dissent among influential party leaders. Among those rebelling are two ministers and several senior MLAs who were not selected as candidates.
High-profile resignations rock BJP
Energy Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala and Minister of State for Social Justice Bishamber Singh Balmiki resigned from their positions on Thursday after being overlooked for candidacy. Additionally, Karan Dev Kamboj, state president of the BJP OBC Morcha and former minister, quit the party. MLA Laxman Napa also resigned from the BJP and joined the Congress in New Delhi.
Former ministers threaten to contest against BJP
Former state ministers Kavita Jain and Savitri Jindal have also threatened to contest against the BJP in seats where they were not selected as candidates. Jindal, mother of the BJP's Kurukshetra MP and one of India's wealthiest women, has declared herself a candidate from Hisar after being denied a ticket by the party. Other rebels include Hisar Mayor Gautam Sardana, senior leaders Shamsher Kharkara and Jai Bhagwan Sharma, Dalit leaders Shamsher Gill and Seema Gabipur, former minister Bachan Singh Arya.
Reasons behind the rebellion
One of the primary reasons for the rebellion appears to be over the BJP's decision to favor turncoats over party loyalists. At least 10 such turncoats, including many former leaders of Dushyant Chautala's Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), are featured in the party's first list for the October 5 polls. Since the rebellion began, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has visited at least one rebel minister and promised to reach out to more leaders.
