Turncoats eye BJP ticket in Hisar

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, November 26

Hectic lobbying has been going among aspirants for the mayoral post in the BJP and Congress. The BJP has emerged as the favourite among aspirants for the post.

After a BJP meeting in Chandigarh, three main candidates — Gautam Sardana, Rekha Aron and Bhim Mahajan — have emerged as front runners. All three are turncoats who have left other parties.

Sardana had contested the Assembly poll on Haryana Janhit Congress ticket from Hisar. Aron and Mahajan had defected from the INLD two years ago.

BJP district president Surender Punia said they had forwarded the list of 12 candidates seeking party ticket from Hisar. “The final decision will emerge after the due process,” he said.

Congress candidates are trying to gain the confidence of the Jindal family. Former minister Savitri Jindal will have a key role in selection of candidate.

Her confidant and current Mayor Shakuntala Rajilwala is being considered as a candidate though she has denied having aspirations.

Candidates of the INLD and its faction led by Dushyant Chautala will also play an important role. The recent feud has upset their calculations as district youth president Tarun Jain has joined Dushyant.

Voter count

A total of 2,26,210 voters will cast their vote in 20 wards. The number of voters has increased by around 16,000 since 2013.