ASSEMBLY POLL 2024: Dissent within BJP deepens over ticket distribution for Karnal seat

The dissent within the ruling BJP over ticket distribution for the Karnal Assembly seat has deepened, as three days after the former Mayor Renu Bala Gupta expressed anger over the ticket distribution from the same seat, former district president Ashok Sukhija voiced his dissatisfaction over the development.

Sukhija was upset with the party high command for overlooking him. He is among the senior most and deserving candidate for the ticket. His displeasure over the ticket distribution has intensified rift within the party.

Sukhija, who is a senior party leader, has called a meeting of his supporters on Monday and has left the decision for his contesting the election or not on them.

Former Mayor Gupta has already expressed his anger over the ticket distribution and called a meeting of her supporters in three days to decide the future course of action. The party has fielded Jagmohan Anand, former media coordinator to ex-CM, as its candidate from the Karnal seat.

In April, Sukhija had also penned a letter to BJP national president JP Nadda, expressing his grave concern over the alleged neglect of the party’s core workers.

Expressing his disappointment, Sukhija said, “I have been associated with the BJP and earlier Jana Sangh, since 1967 when I was just 11-year-old. Later my family shifted to Karnal from Rohtak in 1971 and I started working for the party. I have served the party on different positions,” said Sukhija.

He alleged that the party had ignored the candidates who were capable of winning. “The party has ignored us. I will decide my future course of action after a meeting with my supporters. If my supporters suggest me, I will contest the election,” said Sukhija.

He said it was his rightful claim to contest the election and if the party had to give the ticket to a senior leader, he was the obvious choice for the party in Karnal.

Vijaypal miffed over ticket distribution in Indri

Vijaypal, son of former Deputy Speaker Chaudhary Vedpal, also expressed displeasure over the distribution of the BJP ticket for the Indri seat. At a meeting with his supporters and mentors, Vijaypal, who had joined the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, said the party had given the ticket against the wishes of the general public in Indri. The party has fielded sitting MLA Ram Kumar Kashyap, who had won in 2019. He said his mentors and supporters had constituted a committee of 21 members to take further decisions. The decision would be conveyed to all on September 11, he added.