Ahead of MC polls, jolt to Cong as key leaders join BJP
Giving a major jolt to the Congress ahead of the Karnal MC elections, over 50 party leaders have joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and state president Mohan Lal Badoli.
Former Haryana Minority Commission chairperson Trilochan Singh, former Congress district president (Urban) Ashok Khurana, former chairperson Karnal MC Balwinder Kalra, AAP leader Sunil Bindal, Congress district president OBC cell Sanjay Chandel, former councillors, and Congress leader Nittu Mann were among those who joined the BJP.
“I welcome the leaders to the BJP. Their support strengthens our aim to serve the people with dedication," the CM said, claiming that their induction would help BJP mayoral candidate Renu Bala Gupta win the seat.
After they left the party, political chaos erupted in the city. Congress leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with the party's decision to field former Deputy Mayor Manoj Wadhwa as the candidate for mayoral post, which they claimed was the key reason for the resignation.
After getting the news of their exit from the Congress, Wadhwa, along with other leaders, like the Congress youth president, visited the leaders' residences to persuade them to reconsider their decision. However, the disgruntled leaders remained firm in their resolve to join the BJP.
“I have joined the BJP. I am thankful to the Congress leadership for appointing me chairperson of the Haryana Minority Commission and fielding me twice from the Karnal Assembly segment,” said Trilochan Singh.
Reacting to Trilochan Singh’s switch, Congress leaders alleged that the BJP had used inducements and pressure tactics to secure his defection. “Trilochan Singh has stabbed me in the back. He accompanied me while filing nomination papers, but a day later, he switched his loyalty,” said Wadhwa.
Meanwhile, on being asked about the issue of illegal immigration, Saini appealed to young people to avoid unsafe routes to foreign countries. He said the state government had established a department to facilitate legal migration for employment.
Responding to allegations that the government had used "prisoner transport buses" to shift deported youth, Saini dismissed the claims as baseless.
Asked about the possibility of taking back leaders who had left the BJP before the elections, Saini said the party's doors were open to those willing to align with BJP’s ideology. "Decisions are taken at the party level, and when the time comes, they will be considered," he added.
