Rathore blames ‘internal sabotage’ for defeat in Karnal

Two days after his defeat in the Assembly elections, Congress candidate from Gharaunda, Virender Singh Rathore pointed fingers at some Congress leaders for betraying him and supporting the BJP candidate. He alleged that some leaders within his own camp had tried to sabotage his chances of winning. He said these leaders deliberately distanced themselves from the campaign and contributed to his defeat.

Rathore, while naming three prominent Congress leaders, who according to him should be expelled from the party due to their damaging actions during the elections. He alleged that they worked for the BJP and said if they were not expelled from the party, he would leave the Congress himself. “I will quit the party if the leaders, who worked against the Congress and supported the BJP, are not expelled. These leaders distributed money to ensure my defeat,” said Rathore.

‘Will quit if leaders not expelled’

I will quit the party if the leaders, who worked against the Congress and supported the BJP, are not expelled. These leaders distributed money to ensure my defeat.  — Virender Singh Rathore, Congress nominee

Rathore, who was fielded as the Congress candidate from Gharaunda, lost to BJP’s Harvinder Kalyan, said, “These leaders caused harm to the party’s chances.”

When asked about the Congress performance, Rathore criticised the decision of fielding Divyanshu Budhiraja in the Lok Sabha elections, especially against two strong Chief Ministerial candidates. “The party’s decision to field Budhiraja was a mistake,” he commented.

Rathore also questioned the integrity of the electronic voting machines (EVMs), citing concerns over battery issues and radio frequency interference. He said the Congress had already approached the Election Commission of India with their complaints regarding the election process.

Despite his defeat, Rathore highlighted that he got 48 per cent of the vote share, just 1 per cent less than his opponent Harvinder Kalyan. Rathore expressed concerns about internal discipline within the Congress party.

‘Budhiraja not a good choice’

The Congress candidate from Gharaunda, Virender Singh Rathore, criticised the decision of fielding Divyanshu Budhiraja in the Lok Sabha elections, especially against two strong Chief Ministerial candidates. He said,“The party’s decision to field Budhiraja was a mistake.”