Politics in the Ahirwal region heated up on Monday after former Haryana minister and BJP leader Dr Abhe Singh launched a veiled attack on a senior party colleague, widely seen as a reference to Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh.

Addressing a New Year function in Bhungarka village, Abhe Singh said a “babbar sher” (lion) does the “shikaar” of other leaders to keep his political legacy intact, without naming anyone directly. “The people should think if the political space is given only to the sycophants of a particular family, what direction will the politics of the region take?” he said.

Questioning the role of the Ahirwal region’s veteran leader over the past five decades, the former minister alleged that certain leaders treated regional politics as their “personal fiefdom.” “These leaders do not allow the other leaders, especially the youth, to emerge or grow,” he said.

Abhe Singh, who has represented the Nangal Chaudhary Assembly constituency, also alleged internal sabotage during the last Assembly elections. “I am not in grief due to my defeat, but the way in which false narratives were spread against me as part of the conspiracy did aggrieve me,” he said.

He further said some leaders aspired to become Chief Minister but said leadership emerged only in accordance with party policies and processes. Mahendragarh MLA Kanwar Singh was also present at the event.