Cracks widen, 2 BJP MPs back former Haryana chief dropped from election fray

Gurgaon: Cracks in Haryana BJP visibly widened, with two MPs from south Haryana publicly taking a stand against the "humiliation" of former state party chief Ram Bilas Sharma who was denied a ticket from Mahendergarh.

After waiting for several days, Sharma filed his nomination to contest as a BJP candidate on Wednesday, only for the party to name Kanwar Singh Yadav from the seat when it officially announced its third list later in the day.

Union minister and Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh, who earlier this week lashed out at the BJP's state leadership and projected himself as the CM face, and Bhiwani-Mahendergarh MP Chaudhary Dharambir Singh went to Sharma's house and extended their support for him on Wednesday. Sharma's supporters are urging him to contest as an Independent.

Dharambir Singh, while addressing supporters gathered at Sharma's house, said it was Sharma who brought him to BJP in 2014. "Ram Bilas Sharma established BJP in Haryana. I do not understand why the party leadership is treating him in such a way," he said. Rao Inderjit Singh told supporters there was no party functionary bigger than Sharma in Haryana.

"When I was in Congress, at that time, only one BJP face was known in state politics, and that was Ram Bilas Sharma," Inderjit said.

Inderjit, who has been at odds with the BJP state leadership multiple times in the past, said: "You give a ticket or not, but do not disrespect anyone in this manner. Now, under the garb of registration of a case, they are denying the ticket. If the ticket was to be denied, it should have been done before. Not in this manner," the MP said.

He was referring to a speculation in political circles about a "recommendation" to file a case being filed against the veteran politician. TOI could not confirm the authenticity of the letter being circulated in political circles.

"Aap ne party sawari hai… aap ke anusar party chalega, aapko ticket mile ya na mile (you, Sharma, established the party in the state… the party will run as per your wishes and direction, whether you get a ticket or not," Inderjit added. Party sources told TOI that while Inderjit, the most prominent Ahirwal face in Haryana, was backing Sharma, former CM Manohar Lal Khattar was against the veteran's nomination for the Oct 5 assembly polls.

A BJP functionary said the party has reached out to Sharma and is hoping to pacify him. If the veteran contests as an Independent, it could cut into BJP's voter base and likely affect other areas where his influence is substantial.

Khattar, while interacting with journalists in Kurukshetra on Thursday, said it is only natural that some party functionaries will be disappointed that they weren't fielded.

"This happens in all elections. BJP is a disciplined party. Many have been persuaded, and the rest will be convinced by the party. If some contest as Independents and switch to other parties… There are also many who have switched to BJP and many more are willing to join," he said.

Asked about Inderjit Singh's claim as BJP's CM face, Khattar said anyone can claim that. "All 90 candidates can claim to be the CM in their constituencies if it helps in getting more votes. Union minister Amit Shah has announced that Nayab Singh Saini will be our CM," he said. t

Haryana BJP has been trying to put out a revolt that began after the party released its first list of candidates on Sept 4, and stayed in tune with its strategy of shuffling posts and dropping sitting MLAs. But several ticket hopefuls and those who expected re-nominations quit the party or spoke against it.