Sampat should take rest now: Congress MP Jai Prakash

Congress MP from Hisar, Jai Prakash, on Saturday took a swipe at fellow party leader and former minister Prof Sampat Singh, suggesting that age should prompt him to step back from active politics.

Responding to a query at a press conference here, Jai Prakash said, “Sampat Singh is quite aged now. He should take rest and focus on his health. It’s wrong to hold senior leaders accountable for individual political failures.”

The Hisar MP recalled that the Congress had given ample opportunities to Sampat Singh, including tickets for both MP and MLA elections in the past. “It is not mandatory for one leader to be repeatedly given a ticket. The tendency to blame the senior party leadership for personal failures is unjustified,” he added.

His comments came a day after Sampat Singh alleged that being denied tickets in 2019 and 2024 had cost the party the Nalwa Assembly seat. Sampat had said the Congress’ choice of candidates against his advice proved wrong as the party lost both elections.

Turning his guns on the Opposition, Jai Prakash also accused the INLD of having “repeatedly betrayed” the people of Haryana. “They have betrayed not just me, but thousands, including Anand Singh Dangi, Tejender Pal Mann and others,” he claimed, further alleging that the recent INLD rally in Rohtak was “sponsored by the BJP.”