Congress faces another setback as ex-MLA Narender Sangwan joins BJP

In a fresh setback to the Congress just days before the Karnal Municipal Corporation elections, senior Congress leader and former MLA Narender Sangwan, along with his supporters, joined the BJP today. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini welcomed Sangwan into the party fold, further consolidating BJP’s strength in Karnal ahead of the March 2 civic polls.

I assure him full respect

I wholeheartedly welcome Narender Sangwan and his well-wishers into the BJP. His presence will strengthen our party and I assure him full respect within our fold.

— CM Nayab Singh Saini

This marks the second major defection from Congress to BJP within a week. Last week, Haryana Minority Commission chairperson Trilochan Singh and several other Congress leaders also jumped ship to join the BJP.

Welcoming Sangwan, CM Saini said, “I wholeheartedly welcome Narender Sangwan and his well-wishers into the BJP. He is an influential leader and his presence will strengthen our party. I assure him full respect within our fold.”

Sangwan, who was elected MLA from Gharaunda in 2009 on an INLD ticket, has had a dynamic political journey. After losing the 2014 elections, he left INLD following the formation of JJP in 2018. He briefly served as JJP’s district president before resigning and joining Congress in October 2019 ahead of the Assembly elections.

Explaining his move, Sangwan said, “The BJP’s commitment to development and its strong governance model influenced my decision. I believe I can better serve the people of Karnal through this platform.”

CM Saini used the occasion to highlight the BJP’s growing influence in the state, stating, “Our campaign is in full swing, and it’s evident that the BJP has become the preferred choice for many senior leaders. The trust in our governance is reflected by the number of leaders switching sides.”

The CM was in Karnal to campaign for BJP’s mayoral candidate Renu Bala Gupta and 18 councillor candidates. In a packed day, he addressed seven public meetings across the city, urging voters to support BJP and ensure the formation of a ‘triple-engine’ government — at the Central, state and municipal levels.

“If you compare Karnal from 2014 to 2025, the difference is striking. Our government has brought rapid development and with your support, Renu Bala will continue this momentum. I urge you to press the lotus symbol on March 2,” he told voters.

The CM also highlighted his government’s commitment to fulfilling promises. “In just 100 days, we have already implemented 18 commitments from our manifesto and work is underway on 10 more. Of the 240 promises made in our Sankalp Patra, each one will be fulfilled,” he assured.

Reaffirming Karnal’s significance to him, despite not currently representing it as MLA, Saini said, “Karnal was a CM City, and it still is. I may not be its MLA today, but I have represented this city in the past, and it remains close to my heart.”

He also touched upon BJP’s broader success, adding, “The BJP is forming governments across the country. We recently secured a historic victory in Delhi and I am confident that BJP will sweep the upcoming municipal elections across Haryana.”