As Kandas seek Rania, speculation rife on Ranjit Chautala joining Cong

Anil Kakkar

Sirsa, August 19

A conflict has erupted within the BJP over the Kanda brothers. Gobind Kanda, a BJP leader and brother of Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) leader Gopal Kanda, has announced his son Dhawal Kanda as the candidate for the Rania seat in Sirsa. This move has angered Ranjit Singh Chautala, Haryana’s Minister of Power, who held a meeting with his supporters on Monday, pointedly excluding BJP leaders.

Following the meeting, rumours surfaced on social media that Ranjit Singh Chautala would join the Congress on August 22. However, Ranjit Singh dismissed these rumours. Talking to The Tribune, Ranjit Singh claimed that the speculation originated from a local newspaper owned by a Kanda supporter. He reaffirmed his allegiance to the BJP, stating he will not join the Congress but also asserted that he would contest the election even if BJP denies him a ticket for the Rania seat.

During the meeting in Rania, Chautala expressed his disapproval of Gopal Kanda, accusing him of exploiting political positions for personal gains. He warned that if the BJP and HLP jointly contest the election and a candidate other than him is chosen for the Rania seat, he would be forced to reconsider his options.

Ranjit Singh claimed the BJP has set a condition for the HLP: they are willing to offer one seat, but it cannot go to Gopal Kanda. Instead, it will be given to another member of his family. Ranjit Singh emphasised his loyalty to the BJP, praising the party for its potential to form the government in Haryana for the third term. He also criticised the Congress, claiming that the party has historically failed to regain seats it lost in previous elections, citing examples from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and West Bengal.

However, he acknowledged that the upcoming elections in Haryana would be a tough battle between the BJP and Congress, but he is confident that the BJP will emerge victorious.

Meanwhile, Sirsa BJP district president Shishpal Kamboj claimed to have no knowledge of Ranjit Singh Chautala’s meeting, pointing out that it was a gathering solely of Chautala’s supporters.

The invitation poster for the meeting, shared on social media by Ranjit Singh on Sunday, featured only his image, with no other BJP leaders or political figures included.