Saini’s shifting to Ladwa gives Oppn fresh ammo to target BJP

The decision to shift the Chief Minister’s seat from Karnal to Ladwa has given fresh fuel to Opposition parties to target the ruling BJP. Opposition leaders has wasted no time in launching attacks, questioning the reasons behind the move and accusing the BJP of abandoning Karnal, which has held the status of ‘CM City’ for the past 10 years.

Karnal got the tag of ‘CM City’ in 2014 when former MLA Manohar Lal Khattar was elected as CM by party MLAs. After Khattar resigned from his post as CM and MLA in March this year, Nayab Singh Saini was appointed the new Chief Minister.

Saini, originally an MP, had to win an MLA seat. So, he contested from Karnal on May 25 and was elected on June 4, restoring the city’s status as ‘CM City’. However, the BJP’s decision to shift Saini from Karnal to Ladwa has sparked backlash with Opposition leaders now using this as an opportunity to counter the ruling party.

“Neither of the two CMs did anything for Karnal, which is why Khattar was sent to the Centre and now Saini has been moved to Ladwa. The people of Karnal are fed up with the BJP and they will vote it out of power,” said Sumita Singh, a former MLA and senior Congress leader, adding that they are making people aware about it and also questioning the BJP about it.

“It’s a major issue as to why the CM’s seat was changed. The people of Karnal are questioning the BJP. We are already raising this issue in our ‘Karnal Mange Hisaab’ programme,” said Parag Gaba, former AICC coordinator.

Despite the Opposition attacks, the BJP remains firm on its decision and is defending it. “The CM is not confined to one seat. He represents all of Haryana. Under the leadership of former CM Khattar and current CM Nayab Singh Saini, Karnal has witnessed major development. The Opposition has no substantial issues. So they are focusing on this,” said Jagmohan Anand, former media coordinator to the ex-CM and BJP candidate from the Karnal Assembly segment.