BJP Battles Betrayal Within in Haryana Polls

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in Haryana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced allegations of sabotage from within, with complaints of party leaders actively undermining the prospects of their own candidates in at least three constituencies. This internal strife has not only tainted the party's performance but also raised questions about the unity and discipline within its ranks.

The Congress Defector Dilemma

One of the key factors behind the alleged sabotage was the party's decision to field candidates with a Congress background in certain constituencies. In Hisar, the BJP fielded Ranjeet Chautala, whose political journey was primarily rooted in the Congress party until he switched recently. This move irked some local BJP leaders, including Kuldeep Bishnoi and Captain Abhimanyu, who had aspirations for the Hisar ticket themselves. 

Although they eventually backed down after the party's intervention, pockets of resistance remained within the Hisar BJP unit, leading to allegations of sabotage against Chautala's campaign. 

Parachute Candidates and Disgruntled Leaders

A similar situation unfolded in Sirsa, where the BJP gave the ticket to Dr. Ashok Tanwar, a former state Congress president who had joined the party just before the elections. This move did not sit well with some local BJP leaders, who felt sidelined by the imposition of an outsider.

While they refrained from openly opposing Tanwar's candidature, reports suggest that many leaders engaged in mere token campaigning or coordinated poorly with the candidate. Allegations even surfaced of bogus bills being submitted to syphon off party funds. 

Divided Loyalties and Personal Agendas

In Sonipat, the BJP's decision to field Mohan Lal Badauli, a state general secretary and MLA from Rai, over the sitting MP Ramesh Kaushik, caused significant disgruntlement. Kaushik, feeling slighted, reportedly stayed away from Badauli's campaign, while other local leaders were accused of maintaining links with opposing parties, potentially sabotaging Badauli's prospects. 

Adding fuel to the fire, an alleged audio clip of Surender Chaudhary, the husband of BJP MLA Nirmal Chaudhary from Ganaur, went viral. In the clip, Chaudhary purportedly urged listeners to support Congress candidate Satpal Brahmachari instead of the BJP, further fueling speculation about internal rifts. 

CM Khattar and Saini's Stern Warning

Faced with these allegations, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has taken a stern stance. In a recent meeting with district presidents, CM conveyed a clear message that no saboteurs would be spared, and their actions would be reported to the party's high command in Delhi.

CM Saini echoed similar sentiments, vowing strict action against officers found guilty of facilitating malpractices during the elections. He asserted that the government would not tolerate any indiscipline or dereliction of duty from its officers.

As the vote-counting nears, the BJP leadership in Haryana finds itself grappling with the fallout of internal divisions and allegations of sabotage. The party's high command in Delhi is expected to take note of the reports submitted by the state leadership, setting the stage for a potential showdown with those found guilty of undermining the party's interests.

The outcome of this internal betrayal could have far-reaching implications for the BJP's unity and discipline in Haryana, particularly in the run-up to the crucial Assembly elections scheduled for later this year.