BJP ex-minister Jai Prakash Gupta joins Cong

In a major boost to the Congress in Karnal Assembly segment ahead of the elections, former minister and two-time MLA Jai Parkash Gupta, who quit the BJP on Friday, joined the Congress on Saturday. Gupta was welcomed into the partyfold by Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at an event in Delhi.

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Gupta, a seasoned politician who has contested seven elections from the Karnal seat and secured two victories, expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP’s treatment of party workers and its failure to address public concerns.

“I have quit the BJP on Friday and now joined the Congress. I will work to ensure the victory of the party’s candidate not in Karnal but in other seats,” said Gupta, who had joined the BJP in 2019.

He maintained that he had been associated with the Congress for a long time.

Gupta remained chairman of Karnal Market Committee in 1984 and had contested his first election in 1987 as an Independent candidate, but failed to taste victory. He won the seat in 1991 on the Congress ticket and again in 2000 as an Independent. However, he faced defeat in the 1996, 2005, 2009 and 2014 elections.

Former MC chairman, councillors join Cong

Several key leaders from the ruling BJP joined the party under the leadership of former MLA and Congress candidate Sumita Singh. Among those switched sides are former chairman of the Karnal Municipal Council, Balwinder Kalra, along with former councillors and their supporters. In a gathering held at the Congress’s election office in the city, the newly inducted leaders vowed to work to ensure the victory of Sumita Singh in the upcoming elections.

Kalra remained the chairman from 2005-2009. He had joined BJP in 2014 along with his supporters. Former councillors Sudarshan Kalra and Sarita Kalra’s son Jatin Kalra, former councillor Vinod Gupta, former councillor Gurdev are among those who have joined the Congress.

“We have quit the BJP and now joined the Congress. We were not given full respect by the BJP leadership. We will work to ensure the victory of Congress’ candidate Sumita Singh,” said Kalra.

Meanwhile, former BJP district media coordinator Harpal Kalampura also quit the party and joined the Congress. Sumita Singh welcomed her at the party. “I have quit the party as it has neglected the rural areas which are part of the Karnal Assembly segment. I had joined the party in 2018. Now, I will work to ensure the victory of Congress candidate Sumita,” said Kalampura, who remained in the INLD for nearly 30 years before joining the BJP in 2018. Sumita Singh said that all leaders and workers would be given full respect.