In Boost For BJP, 2 Independent MLAs Join Party After Haryana Results

In a big boost for the Haryana BJP, two Independent MLAs joined the saffron party a day after its blockbuster election show in the heartland state. Devender Kadyan and Rajesh Joon joined the BJP at Union Minister and Haryana in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan’s house in the presence of state BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli. Mr Kadyan, a BJP rebel, had won from Ganaur as an Independent while Mr Joon defeated his BJP rival to secure victory in Bahadurgarh.

India’s richest woman Savitri Jindal, who had joined the BJP in March but contested as an Independent on not getting a ticket, too is likely to extend her support to the BJP.

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Mr Badoli said talks are on with Ms Jindal if she wants to rejoin the BJP fold.

Ms Jindal, a former Congress minister, secured victory from Hisar – a seat that she had won in 2005 and 2009. The 74-year-old leader had last month denied that she was a rebel and told NDTV she contested as an Independent to respect the wishes of the people of Hisar.

“They (the people of Hisar) wanted me to contest at any cost. Doctor sahab (Dr Kamal Gupta) is contesting from the BJP and the Congress has fielded Rara sahab (Ram Niwas Rara), so I had no choice but to contest as an Independent,” said Ms Jindal, whose son Naveen Jindal is the BJP MP from Kurukshetra.

The BJP pulled a surprise victory in the Haryana elections yesterday to return to power for a historic third time in a row. Sources suggest Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini would return for a second stint in the top post for leading the BJP to victory.

For the BJP, which is comfortably past the halfway mark with 48 seats, support from the Independents will further cement its strength in the 90-member assembly.

The Congress, which came second, has refused to accept the results and alleged several irregularities in the counting process.