Exodus from BJP: Key Leaders Resign Ahead of Haryana Assembly Elections

Haryana assembly elections face a twist as BJP denies tickets to senior leaders, prompting resignations. Former minister Bachan Singh Arya and state leader Ranjit Singh Chautala have chosen to run as independents. The BJP's decision highlights internal disparities ahead of the impending elections.

In a major blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the Haryana Assembly Elections, former state minister Bachan Singh Arya resigned from the party on Saturday. The resignation followed Arya's exclusion from the party's candidate list, which instead named Ramkumar Gautam from Safidon.

Arya, in his resignation letter, departed from both the primary membership and the state executive of the BJP. He will contest as an independent candidate, citing public dissent with the party's governance. 'You saw that it was a crowd of 10,000 people...The people of the constituency have ignored BJP...I am contesting on the ticket of the public,' Arya told ANI. The BJP announced its first list of 67 candidates for the 90-member assembly on Wednesday.

Additionally, Haryana Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala also resigned after being denied a ticket and will run independently from the Rania seat. 'It is the decision of the people of my constituency,' Chautala said. The BJP has fielded Shishpal Kamboj from Rania.

Other notable candidates in the BJP's first list include Gian Chand Gupta for Panchkula, Kanwar Pal Gurjar for Jagadhri, Sunita Duggal for Ratia, Bhavya Bishnoi for Adampur, and Tejpal Tanwar for Sohna. Former Haryana Minister Karan Dev Kamboj also resigned, citing injustice in ticket distribution. Voting for the Haryana assembly polls is scheduled for October 5, with results to be announced on October 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)