Saini kicks up storm in Karnal, says Congress rebels helped BJP in polls

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini courted fresh political controversy by acknowledging that several Congress leaders, including its candidates who have joined the BJP, had "secretly" helped the BJP during his byelection and the recently held Assembly poll, even as the Congress called the defectors "artificial jewellery".

Specifically names former Chairman of state Minority Commission Trilochan Singh, who had contested against him in Karnal byelection

Speaking at a public gathering on Tuesday, while welcoming former MLA and Congress leader Narender Sangwan to the BJP, Saini revealed that Congress leaders, including former Chairman of the Haryana Minority Commission, Trilochan Singh, Sangwan and others had played a crucial role in his victory in the Karnal byelection, and the Assembly poll.

Saini specifically named Trilochan Singh, who had contested against him in the Karnal by-election, saying, “When I was running for elections, I visited his house for tea and asked him to join the BJP.” He also mentioned former Gharaunda MLA Narender Sangwan, saying that Sangwan supported BJP candidate Harvinder Kalyan in Gharaunda.

Reacting sharply to Saini’s revelations, Congress leaders accused the defectors of betraying the party and misleading voters. AICC secretary Virender Rathore, who lost the Gharaunda Assembly election, said such leaders were mere “artificial jewellery”, who had been judged by Saini himself.

“I had already said Sangwan was not with us and worked for the BJP candidate. Now, the CM has exposed them,” said Rathore, while interacting with the media at the election office of the party's mayoral candidate, Manoj Wadhwa, on Wednesday.

Similarly, Congress leader Sumita Singh, who unsuccessfully contested the elections, slammed Trilochan Singh and others, saying, “The CM himself has exposed them. These leaders were working for the BJP while staying in the Congress.”

When asked, Trilochan Singh remarked, “I accept whatever the CM said from the stage. 'Kabul, kabul and kabul'.”