Senior Congress leader Bishan Lal Saini set to join BJP
In a major setback to the Congress in the district, senior party leader and three-time MLA Dr Bishan Lal Saini (70) has decided to join the BJP.
Bishan Lal is considered to be a loyalist of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a former CM.
According to information, Bishan Lal will join the BJP in the presence of CM Nayab Singh Saini in a programme to be held by him in the new grain market, Jagadhri, on February 15.
Bishan Lal has started sending invitations to his supporters for the programme, which will be a show of strength.
He is one of the tallest Congress leaders in the district, and after the Assembly poll, will be the first party leader of the district to join the BJP.
A graduate in ayurvedic medicine and surgery, Bishan Lal became an MLA for the first time after winning the 2000 Assembly election from the Jagadhri Assembly segment on BSP ticket.
However, in the 2009 Assembly election, he was elected MLA from the Radaur Assembly segment on INLD ticket, and in 2019, he was elected MLA from the segment on Congress ticket.
He contested the 2024 Assembly poll from Radaur on Congress ticket, but lost to BJP candidate Shyam Singh Rana, who is now the state Agriculture Minister.
Talking to 'The Tribune', he said he would join the BJP on February 15. “My supporters are supreme for me. When I discussed it with them, they suggested me to join the BJP,” he said.
While he was mum on senior Congress leaders, he said the Congress had no intention of strengthening the party base, which was one of the reasons for its defeat.
“Congress leaders are fighting openly, which has weakened the party,” he added.
