ASSEMBLY POLL 2024: In fire-fighting mode, Saini visits MP Barala’s house before Babli’s rally
Attempts to placate Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala after the BJP announced Devender Babli as the candidate for the Tohana Assembly seat have “failed”. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who visited Tohana on Saturday to file Babli’s nomination, made a stop at Barala’s residence in Dangra village before attending Babli’s public rally.
Long-standing rivalry
- There has been a long-standing rivalry between Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala and Devender Babli in Tohana Assembly segment.
- In 2014, Barala won the election on BJP ticket with 49,462 votes, defeating INLD's Nishan Singh by 6,906 votes. Babli, running as an Independent, secured 38,282 votes and came third.
- In 2019, Babli contested on JJP ticket and defeated Barala by a significant margin, with 1,00,752 votes to Barala's 48,450.
- During the BJP-JJP coalition, Babli accused Barala of obstructing work in Tohana.
- Now that Babli is running for election on a BJP ticket and Barala is a Rajya Sabha MP, it is clear that their long-standing rivalry is unlikely to fade easily.
When Chief Minister Saini arrived at Barala’s residence, he was greeted by hundreds of Barala’s supporters, chanting slogans in his favour. Barala welcomed the CM at the door and invited him inside for a discussion. The two leaders reportedly spoke for about half an hour regarding the Tohana issue. Sources suggest that CM Saini urged Barala to set aside his grievances and support the party’s candidate during the election campaign. It’s unclear what response Barala gave to the CM.
While Saini proceeded to attend Babli’s rally, Barala noticeably did not. This has fueled speculation that Saini’s efforts to pacify Barala may have been unsuccessful. It is believed that senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Manohar Lal, may now intervene to for a reconciliation.
During the gathering at his residence, Barala addressed his supporters, urging them to remain patient. He recited a poem by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with lines that resonated with the current situation: Aati hain baadhayein, ghire pralya ki ghor ghataayein, kadam mila kar chalna hoga, kadam mila kar chalna hoga (Challenges may come, storms may gather, but we must march together, step by step). Barala emphasised that despite provocations from some leaders in the past, BJP workers have always remained loyal and focused on strengthening the party. He assured his supporters that this would continue in the future as well.
