CM Hosts Dinner for BJP Leaders: Tensions Amid Candidate Backlash and Rumors of Changes

In a bid to ensure victory for the BJP in all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Saini has initiated a "dinner politics" strategy. After hosting lunch and dinner meetings with party leaders at his official residence in Chandigarh, the CM has now summoned all BJP MLAs and ministers for a dinner on April 8.

Dissent Over Candidates

The move comes at a time when there is growing dissent against the party's Lok Sabha candidates in at least four constituencies - Hisar, Rohtak, Sonipat, and Sirsa. Ranjeet Chautala, Arvind Sharma, Mohan Lal Badoli, and Ashok Tanwar are facing opposition in their respective constituencies, which the opposition parties are capitalising on to damage the BJP's image. 

Farmers' anger Adds to Troubles

The BJP's Lok Sabha candidates are also facing anger from farmers, who are raising questions about crop insurance claims, lathi-charges on farmers in Karnal, Kaithal, and Hisar. Farmers are also questioning the absence of ministers and MLAs during their 3-month-long sit-in at the mini-secretariats.

Brahmin Leader's Controversial Remarks

Another concern for the BJP is the controversy surrounding Ranjeet Singh Chautala, the independent MLA from Rania who joined the party and has been fielded from the Hisar Lok Sabha seat. Chautala's recent remarks targeting the Brahmin community have sparked outrage, even though he later apologised.

 Independents Excluded from Dinner

Interestingly, the CM's dinner meeting has excluded independent MLAs, who had supported the BJP government in the state. This has irked some of the independent legislators, as the party seeks to keep its Lok Sabha poll planning under wraps.

The BJP has 41 MLAs in Haryana, and six independent legislators had supported the government. However, none of these independents, except Ranjeet Singh Chautala, have been made ministers. The party's high command has also been considering replacing candidates in Hisar and Sonipat, though the leadership maintains that the decisions have been taken after careful deliberation.