Congress rebel from Hisar joins BJP

In a major setback to the Congress, senior party leader from Hisar, Ram Niwas Rada, has joined the BJP. Rada, along with some other party leaders from Hisar, joined the BJP in the presence of CM Nayab Singh Saini in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Rada, who had filed his nomination for the post of Hisar Mayor as an Independent candidate, withdrew his nomination in favour of the BJP nominee. In a media interaction in Hisar on Wednesday, Congress Mayor nominee Krishan Singla remarked that Rada was outdated and his move to quit the Congress would boost his (Singla's) prospects.

"He was given the Congress ticket in the Assembly elections of 2019 as well as 2024, but he failed to perform and blamed others for his failure. His departure will be good for the Congress," he stated.

Addressing a news conference in Hisar on Tuesday, veteran Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the party leadership would take action against the rebels.

Rada is considered close to Sirsa MP and former Union minister Kumari Selja. He had sought the Congress ticket for the post of Hisar Mayor. On being denied the ticket, he joined the BJP.

Former Hisar municipal council chairman Bihari Lal Rada, Youth Congress local unit president Rohit and several other leaders also joined the BJP.