Inderjit reigns supreme on 5 seats, tussle over four with Khattar camp
Having managed to get his supported candidates on five seats in Ahirwal so far, Gurugram MP and Ahir veteran Rao Inderjit Singh has proven his supremacy in the region. He has not only managed to get his daughter a ticket from Ateli but also got the candidates of his choice in Rewari, Gurugram, Kosli and Sohna.
Denied ticket, ex-CM aides resign
Many of Khattar loyalists who were promised tickets but were left out, especially in Ahirwal, have already started tendering resignations from the BJP. Many are even planning to contest as Independent candidates
This has left the other BJP leaders, especially in ML Khattar camp, up in arms. They are now seeking their candidates on the remaining seats of Narnaul, Pataudi, Bawal and Mahendergarh. With both the camps up against each other, the party is having a tough time to declare the candidates.
Arti Rao has been fielded from Ateli while Inderjit managed to get Mukesh Sharma a ticket from Gurugram, Tejpal Tanwar from Sohna, Lakshman Singh Yadav from Rewari and Anil Dahina from Kosli. Sources claim the Inderjit camp might give up its stake on Mahenderagrh for party veteran Ram Bilas Sharma, however, its seeking its candidates on all other three seats.
Senior party leaders have been trying to get Inderjit and Khattar to agree on these seats with no success so far. The Khattar camp, including former MLAs and ministers, feels cheated. The party high command is negotiating with both senior leaders separately for these. Inderjit has been guaranting victory on all seats where his candidates are being chosen.
“We are facing a major faceoff. Rao Inderjit Singh is out to reclaim his turf, Ahirwal, saying he has long been ignored there. He is currently key to winnability in the region. The anti-Rao camp is seeking other candidates. It’s just a difference of opinion between the two camps which is common in any party ahead of the elections. It’s normal,” said a senior member of the central selection committee of the BJP.
While the party insists “this is normal”, it is witnessing a never-before rebellion in the state and Ahirwal. Many of Khattar loyalists who were promised tickets but were left out especially in Ahirwal have already started tendering resignations from the party. Many are even planning to contest as Independent candidates.
Naveen Goyal, a young party leader from Gurugram, has left the party with hundreds of his supporters and announced Independent candidature. Another party leader from the city, GL Sharma, who is a friend turned foe of Inderjit, too, has announced his resignation and likely to join the Congress.
Sanjay Singh, a former minister and MLA from Sohna, has openly accused party of using him and choosing a wrong candidate owing to pressure politics. While the list is officially yet to be declared, celebrations are already on in the Inderjit camp with leaders claiming they are getting all remaining four seats.
