NI Bureau
Savitri Jindal, the wealthiest businesswoman in India, has announced her decision to run in the Haryana assembly elections from Hisar, following the BJP’s decision to overlook her candidacy. Jindal’s son, Naveen Jindal, currently serves as the BJP MP for Kurukshetra.
It remains unclear whether Savitri Jindal will contest as an Independent or align with the Congress party. The BJP, on September 4, released its first list of 67 candidates for the upcoming election.
Dr. Kamal Gupta, the state’s health minister, has been named the BJP candidate for the Hisar constituency.
Following the release of this candidate list, the BJP has faced a series of internal rebellions. Haryana minister Ranjit Singh Chautala and MLA Lakshman Dass Napa resigned from the party after being denied tickets.
Ranjit Singh Chautala, 79, who also serves as the Energy and Jails Minister, is the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal. After consulting with his supporters, he has decided to contest the election as an Independent. Napa also quit after being denied a ticket, while former minister Karan Dev Kamboj resigned as the OBC Morcha chief of the state BJP after his candidacy was overlooked.
Minister of State for Social Justice, Empowerment, SCs and BCs Bishamber Singh, who represents the Bawani Khera reserve seat, was visibly emotional after the party chose Kapur Valmiki as the candidate from his constituency. Singh expressed that while his supporters’ disappointment was natural, he remains committed to the party. He also criticized the decision, alleging that the chosen candidate has a questionable past.
