In the massive reshuffling of the Haryana BJP, two Independent MLAs joined the party on Tuesday, a day after its strong show in the state elections. Devender Kadyan and Rajesh Joon joined the BJP at a function attended by Union Minister and Haryana in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan and state BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli. While Kadyan had earlier won as a BJP rebel from Ganaur, Joon won against the BJP candidate from Bahadurgarh. Thus, both are expected to strengthen the party in the assembly.
Another one likely to support the BJP is India’s richest woman and former Congress minister, Savitri Jindal. Though she joined the BJP in March, she had contested as an Independent when the party refused her a ticket. There are reportedly talks of her joining the party afresh.
Jindal won from Hisar-a constituency she had won in 2005 and 2009. The 74-year-old took to Twitter last month to clarify that her Independent candidature was only because of the people in her constituency’s desire. “They wanted me to contest at any cost,” she said, referring to the tough fight between the BJP and Congress candidates.
The surprising victory for the BJP in Haryana is being seen as a historic third consecutive term in power. The party crossed the halfway mark with 48 seats, and with the support of Independents, it is in position to further solidify its strength in the 90-member assembly. Sources said Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is expected to return for a second term in office.
However, the runner-up party, the Congress party, filed an objection to the result, citing irregularities in the counting process.
