Jalandhar West bypoll: BJP veteran Chunni Lal Bhagat backs son Mohinder, the AAP nominee

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, July 5

For the first time, three-time BJP MLA and former minister Chunni Lal Bhagat, whose son Mohinder Bhagat had joined AAP and is contesting the Jalandhar West bypoll, has appealed to the electorate to vote and support his son.

In May, Chunni Lal had asked that his photos not be used on BJP posters or of any other political party. But during the campaign, AAP has put up many posters in Jalandhar with photographs of Chunni Lal along with son Mohinder.

When Mohinder embraced AAP in 2023, a surprised Chunni Lal said he would sacrifice his life for the BJP. “I have learnt politics in the BJP. I have never been associated with any other party. My son was a loyal BJP worker. I don’t know who he talked to, or who lured him,” Chunni Lal had said.

Ensure victory for mohinder

I have won the elections from the constituency thrice. Due to my old age, I have asked my son to contest. A good man should serve this halqa and be brought to the fore. Please help ensure the victory of Mohinder so that your work is carried out smoothly. He will serve you even more than me. — Chunni Lal Bhagat, Former BJP minister

He’s under pressure

We respect Chunni Lal Bhagat. Ask him whether AAP can give him the respect that the BJP gave him, his community and society. We gave him big posts. He should remember it. Can he get such posts from the bokhar (broom) people. He may be under pressure due to his son, but at heart, he’s a BJP man. — RP Singh, BJP spokesperson

Today, however, in a video clip that went viral, the veteran supported his son and appealed, “I’ve won elections from the constituency three times. Due to my age, I’ve asked my son to contest. A good man should serve this halqa and be brought to the fore. Please help to ensure the victory of Mohinder so that your works may be done. He will serve you even more than me.”

BJP national spokesperson RP Singh said, “We respect Chunni Lal Bhagat. Ask him whether AAP can ever give him the respect that the BJP gave, to his community and society. We made him leader of the party. We gave him big posts. He should remember it. Can he get such posts from the bokar (broom) people? He may be under pressure due to his son, but at heart, he’s a BJP man.”

The Bhagat family had served the BJP in the Jalandhar West constituency for decades. Jalandhar South (as Jalandhar West was called) was won by Chunni Lal in 1997, 2007 and Jalandhar West in 2012. Chunni Lal served as the Local Bodies Minister in the Akali-BJP government and held various other posts.

Mohinder unsuccessfully contested the Jalandhar West elections in 2017 and 2022 — against Sushil Rinku and Sheetal Angural.