BJP Faces Rebellion After Announcing First List of Haryana Assembly Poll Candidates

A day after the ruling BJP released its first list of candidates for the Haryana assembly polls, two prominent figures, Ranjit Singh Chautala and Lakshman Dass Napa, resigned due to being denied tickets. The move has sparked rebellion within the party, as other loyalists express discontent over candidate selections.

A day after the ruling BJP announced its first list of 67 candidates for the October 5 Haryana assembly polls, the party faced a rebellion. Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala and MLA Lakshman Dass Napa, who were denied tickets, have quit the party.

Energy and Jails Minister Ranjit Chautala, son of former deputy prime minister Devi Lal, decided to run as an Independent after meeting with his supporters. Napa also resigned after the decision, later meeting former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and announcing he would join the Congress.

Further discontent emerged as several loyalists were overlooked in the candidate list. The BJP, aiming for a third consecutive term in Haryana, now faces internal strife and a strong opposition from the resurgent Congress.

(With inputs from agencies.)