Hindustan Times (Patiala)

BJP inducts sitting INLD MLA, 2 ex-legislator­s of Cong

- HT Correspond­ents letterschd@hindustant­imes.com

CHANDIGARH/ROHTAK: Sitting Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA Ved Narang, along with two former Congress legislator­s Ram Saroop Rama and Phool Singh Kheri, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Rohtak on Sunday.

All the three leaders who switched over to the BJP on Sunday hold sway in the reserved constituen­cies.

While Narang of the INLD represente­d the reserved Barwala seat, former Congress legislator­s Rama and Kheri represente­d Ratia and Guhla reserved segments respective­ly.

Narang is a first-time MLA, while Rama had served as a minister in the Bansi Lal government in 1996 and forfeited security deposit in the 2014 elections from Ratia as a nominee of the then Haryana Janhit Congress. Kheri had won from Gula reserved seat in 2009 on an INLD ticket and in 2014, before assembly polls, he had come under the wings of the Congress.

Khattar welcomed them into the party fold and said they will give strength to the BJP.

The ruling BJP has given tickets to 17 turncoats out of which 15 are former INLD leaders.

Addressing reporters, Khattar targeted the Congress over ticket distributi­on, claiming that the Congress has sold its tickets.” He said Congress’ supporters, including former legislator­s, were desperate to join the BJP.

“In Congress, four persons cannot stay united, while the BJP leaders are living like a family. The Congress has been promoting dynasty politics, while the BJP has given tickets to its hardworkin­g supporters,” said Khattar.

Asked about former state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar’s claim that the saffron party leaders had contacted him to join the BJP, Khattar denied it and asked Tanwar to name the person who contacted him.

“We have banned Tanwar’s entry into the BJP. Only leaders having clean image are allowed to join the BJP. Our workers and leaders are committed to discipline and we have not witnessed any revolt over ticket distributi­on,” the CM further said.

Meanwhile, according to a PTI report Khattar said BJP was trying to persuade BJP rebels to withdraw in the favour of party nominees.

“Out of 12 MLAs, only those from Gurgaon and Rewari are in the contest. We will try that they withdraw and support candidates fielded by the party,” said Khattar.

While sitting Rewari MLA Randhir Kapriwas is contesting as an independen­t, Gurgaon legislator Umesh Aggarwal has fielded his wife Anita as an independen­t candidate.

 ?? MANOJ DHAKA/HT ?? Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and agricultur­e minister OP Dhankar with INLD MLA from Barwala Ved Narang (second from left) and others in Rohtak on Sunday.
MANOJ DHAKA/HT Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and agricultur­e minister OP Dhankar with INLD MLA from Barwala Ved Narang (second from left) and others in Rohtak on Sunday.

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