Veteran Haryana Leader Birender Singh Rejoins Congress, Deals Blow to BJP

Chandigarh: In a significant political development, former Union Minister Birender Singh has joined the Congress party, along with his wife Prem Lata, just a day after quitting the BJP. This move comes almost a month after his son, Brijender Singh, had already joined the grand old party.

The 78-year-old Birender Singh, who is the maternal grandson of the renowned farmer leader Sir Chhotu Ram, had left the Congress in 2014 after a four-decade-long association to join the BJP. He had served as the Union Minister for Steel, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Drinking Water and Sanitation in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first government. 

Welcoming Birender Singh and his wife into the Congress fold, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is also a former Chief Minister of Haryana, said, "With his (Birender Singh's) rejoining, he has proved the age-old saying, 'East or West, Home is the best'. He is my elder brother and I am very happy about his return to the Congress."

 Birender Singh, while addressing the gathering, described his return to the Congress as not just a "homecoming" but also a "return of his ideals." He took a dig at the BJP, saying, "The BJP claims that we are a party of dynasties, but now, even with the inclusion of sisters and brothers, it falls under the ambit of dynastic politics. But the Congress has given me what no one else could."

The veteran leader's decision to switch sides is being seen as a significant blow to the BJP in Haryana, as Birender Singh enjoys a strong influence in the Jat-dominated Bangar belt, comprising the districts of Jind, Hisar, and Fatehabad. His family also has a substantial political foothold in the region.

Birender Singh's political journey has been marked by both highs and lows. He had been a five-time MLA from Uchana and had also served as a Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha member. However, his dream of becoming the Chief Minister of Haryana remained unfulfilled.

The development has also set off a chain reaction within the state BJP, with reports suggesting that 4-5 BJP MLAs are in contact with Birender Singh and may also join the Congress in the near future. The party leadership, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and former CM Manohar Lal Khattar, are said to be in constant touch with the disgruntled MLAs, trying to keep them from defecting.

As the political dynamics in Haryana continue to shift, the Congress will be hoping that Birender Singh's homecoming will bolster the party's prospects in the Bangar belt and help the grand old party mount a stronger challenge against the ruling BJP in the upcoming state and national elections.