Kuldeep Bishnoi may join BJP 'very soon'
Geetanjali Gayatri
Chandigarh, June 12
Following his expulsion from party posts of the Congress, party leader Kuldeep Bishnoi’s next move is awaited even as sources in the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) said he could join the party “very soon”.
While Bishnoi had been hobnobbing with the BJP leaders and has met the Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, in the past, the latter openly extended him an invitation into the party after the Congress leader cross-voted in favour of the Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma in the Rajya Sabha election. His vote was crucial to Sharma’s win, though he was backed by the ruling BJP-JJP combine.
Sources said while the “terms” of his joining are in the final stages, Bishnoi could continue as MLA even if he switched parties. Sources said if Bishnoi chose not to resign from his seat and continued as MLA, a disqualification petition could be filed with the Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha.
Sources said Bishnoi could decide to resign from the Adampur seat that he represents once he joins the BJP. According to information, he is keen to launch his son Bhavya Bishnoi’s political career. Bhavya had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Hisar on the Congress ticket. Sources said Bishnoi could step down to launch his son’s career and could be “accommodated” elsewhere.
The BJP, however, maintained that there was no “deal” being worked out behind the scenes and that Bishnoi would join the party “unconditionally” due to his faith in the party’s policies. “So far, he has not made any representation to the party unit about his intention to join,” state BJP chief OP Dhankar said.
Bishnoi, despite repeated attempts, was not available for comments.
CM’s open invitation
While Bishnoi had been hobnobbing with BJP leaders and has met CM Manohar Lal Khattar in the past, the latter openly extended him invitation into the party after the Congress leader cross-voted in favour of Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma in the Rajya Sabha poll
