Hours before denial of ticket, BJP Haryana ex-chief files papers

BJP’s former Haryana chief Ram Bilas Sharma today filed nomination from Mahendragarh, hours before he was denied the ticket. The BJP, in its final list, declared former president of district unit Kanwar Singh Yadav as its candidate from Mahendragarh.

Soon after Sharma filed his nomination, Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh MP Dharambir Singh, former minister Om Prakash Yadav and Ateli MLA Sitaram Yadav rushed to his residence.

Sharma, a five-time MLA, was among the frontrunners for the BJP ticket. He is learnt to have been ignored following a complaint of fraud.

Earlier in the day, Rao said, “Ticket or not, no one has the right to insult a senior leader. On the pretext of a complaint, the party is saying that it is considering Sharma’s candidature. It is nothing but rubbing salt on his wounds. I believe the party will not deny ticket to Sharma. But if it does, it will be a setback not only for Mahendragarh, but also for the entire state. The BJP runs in Sharma’s blood... he’s been working to strengthen the party for decades.”

Dharambir said he had never imagined that Sharma would have to wait for the ticket as the BJP had gained prominence in the segment only due to his efforts.

The complaint Rao mentioned pertains to a local woman who filed it last month wherein she accused eight persons, including Sharma, of using financial resources of her husband and implicating her son in a criminal case. Sharma has termed the allegations as “baseless”.

Candidate named from kanda’s seat

• In its final list, the BJP named Kanwar Singh Yadav (Mahendragarh), Rohtash Jangra (Sirsa) and Satish Fagna (Faridabad, NIT)
• May spell fresh trouble as Union Minister KP Gurjar was eyeing Faridabad for son
• Sirsa name out, BJP won’t have pact with Gopal Kanda-led Haryana Lokhit Party
• Sirsa MLA Kanda was given option ‘to merge party’ with BJP