The Congress party in Haryana is facing a rebellion just a day after announcing its first list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. Rajesh Joon, a prominent party leader, has resigned from the Congress and declared his intention to run as an independent candidate for the Bahadurgarh Assembly seat.
Joon’s decision comes after the Congress opted to field sitting MLA Rajendra Singh Joon from the Bahadurgarh constituency. Joon, who was a strong contender for the ticket, expressed his disappointment and claimed he was “cheated” and “used and thrown” by the party. He stated that he consulted with his supporters before making this decision and that they encouraged him to contest the election independently.
Joon’s resignation is a significant blow to the Congress in Haryana. He is a well-known figure in the region and enjoys considerable support. His decision to contest as an independent is likely to split the opposition vote, potentially benefiting the ruling BJP.
The Congress had released its first list of 32 candidates on Friday, featuring prominent leaders like former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, State unit chief Udai Bhan, and wrestler Vinesh Phogat. The party re-nominated 27 of its current MLAs.
Haryana is scheduled to hold its Assembly elections on October 5, with the counting of votes taking place on October 8. The Congress will be looking to regain power in the state, but Joon’s rebellion adds another layer of complexity to their campaign.
