Ex-CPS Zile Ram Sharma revolts against BJP in Assandh

Former Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Zile Ram Sharma today filed nomination papers as an Independent candidate from the Assand segment of Karnal district after a meeting with his supporters. He was upset over the denial of ticket by the BJP from the seat. The BJP has fielded district party president Yogendra Rana.

Sharma had won the seat on the ticket of the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) in 2009 but lost it in 2014 and 2019 as an Independent candidate. He had joined the BJP in March this year and actively campaigned for party’s Lok Sabha candidate Manohar Lal Khattar. He along with Yogendra Rana and former MLA Bakshish Singh Virk was among the top contenders for the ticket. Upset over the denial of ticket, Sharma’s supporters removed the BJP’s flag and posters from his office last evening. “With the consent of my supporters and well wishers, I decided to contest from the Assandh seat as an Independent candidate. I have filed my nomination papers and will go to the people of Assandh for justice. The BJP has betrayed me,” he added.

Sharma highlighted the role of his team members during the Lok Sabha elections, claiming that there was opposition to Khattar’s nomination in Assandh but his supporters worked hard for him. “Had it not been for my supporters, the BJP would have lost by 40,000 votes in Assandh,” he said.

Bakhshish Singh will not quit party

• Former MLA from Assandh Bakhshish Singh Virk has decided to remain in the BJP despite having been denied the ticket
• He took the decision at a meeting of his supporters and well-wishers Virk was among the top contenders for the BJP ticket from Assandh