Trader Naveen Goyal in fray for BJP ticket from Gurgaon

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, August 18

Amidst the long list of ticket aspirants for the BJP from Gurugram is Naveen Goyal, Khattar loyalist and party’s state incharge of trader’s wing. Goyal, who aspires to make his political debut, emerged as Khattar’s associate in 2019 when he was included in the party’s campaign committee for 24 Assembly segments. Popular amongst traders, industrialists and the Baniya community, Goyal is pitching his candidature, projecting himself as a voice of Haryanavi traders.

“While the BJP has done a lot for the welfare of traders, we still feel the need for stronger representation. Traders across the state have many unresolved issues, especially the menace of extortion. The current government has taken up the issue seriously, but we feel having somebody to represent the traders in Vidhan Sabha would greatly help the cause,” he said. “I have been approached by trader associations across Gurugram to contest this time, so I have requested a ticket from Gurugram. Whatever the decision of the party, I will keep supporting the party,” said Goyal while speaking to The Tribune.

Goyal funds many NGOs in Gurugram . Though he has been active at the local level since 2014, it was his philanthropic activities during the COVID crises that made former CM and Central Minister ML Khattar take notice of him. He is visible along with CM Nayab Saini during all his functions in Gurugram.

Though the city had a Bania MLA, Sudhir Singla, the community has been vocal about not getting their due all these years and wants the government to focus its attention on the community and the traders.

“We want the party to express confidence and invest in one amongst us who knows the city to the core and addresses the issues concerned,” said one of the office bearers of the Gurgaon Industrial Association.