Rao Inderjit camp reigns supreme in Ahirwal, secures five tickets

Having managed to secure for his camp candidates the ticket for five seats in Ahirwal so far, Rao Inderjit Singh has proven his political might in the region. Rao Inderjit has not only managed to get his daughter a ticket from Ateli but also candidates of his choosing from Rewari, Gurugram, Kosli and Sohna.

This has left the other BJP leaders, especially of the ML Khattar camp, vexed. They are now seeking their candidates on the remaining seats of the region — Narnaul, Pataudi, Bawal and Mahendergarh. With both the camps up against each other, the party is having a tough time declaring the candidates.

While Arti Rao has been fielded from Atel, Inderjit has managed to get Mukesh Sharma a ticket from Gurugram, Tejpal Tanwar from Sohna, Lakshman Singh Yadav from Rewari, Anil Dahina from Kosli. Sources said while the Inderjit camp might give up its stake in Mahenderagrh for party veteran Ram Bilas Sharma, it was seeking its candidates on the remaining three seats. The senior party leaders are trying to get Inderjit and Khattar to agree on these seats, but to no avail so far. On one hand, the Khattar camp including former MLAs and ministers feels cheated, while on the other, Inderjit has been guaranteeing victory on all seats where his candidates are being chosen.

“We are in the midst of a major faceoff. Rao Inderjit is out to reclaim his turf, Ahirwal, saying he has long been ignored there. He is currently key to winnability in the region. The anti-Inderjit camp is seeking other candidates. It’s just difference of opinion between the camps. Its commonplace during the elections,” a senior member of the BJP’s Central Election Committee said.

While the party insisted tussle between factions was normal, it is a rebellion in the state. Many of Khattar loyalists who were promised tickets but were left out especially in Ahirwal have already started tendering resignations, with many even planning to contest as Independent candidates.

Naveen Goyal, a young party leader from Gurugram, has left the party with his supporters and announced Independent candidature. Another party leader from the city, GL Sharma, who used to be close to Inderjit, too has resigned and is joining the Congress.

Sanjay Singh, former Sohna MLA and a minister, has openly accused the party of choosing a wrong candidate owing to pressure politics.