As Haryana gears up for the assembly elections in October 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) found itself embroiled in a significant internal crisis marked by rebellions and resignations, signaling potential challenges for the party’s prospects in the state.
The latest developments paint a picture of a party struggling to maintain unity and manage dissent within its ranks.
The Resignation Wave
The most recent jolt to the BJP came with Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala’s resignation from the Cabinet after being denied a ticket for the upcoming elections.
This move was not isolated.
Following the release of BJP’s first list of 67 candidates, discontent surged among party leaders, including sitting MLAs and ministers. Notably, Lakshman Dass Napa, a sitting MLA, resigned from the party, expressing intentions to join the Congress.
What caused the turbulence?
The BJP’s ticket distribution strategy has been a focal point of contention. The decision to field CM Nayab Singh Saini from Ladwa, alongside other strategic placements, has stirred unrest among those left out.
The party’s attempt to refresh its candidate list by including new faces and sidelining some incumbents has backfired, leading to dissent and resignations. This includes former minister Karan Dev Kamboj, who stepped down from his party positions, reflecting deep-seated dissatisfaction with the ticket allocation process.
Amidst this internal strife, the political landscape in Haryana has seen new alliances, with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) announcing a coalition to challenge the BJP’s dominance.