Haryana: In a dramatic political turn, Haryana Cabinet Minister Chaudhary Ranjit Singh Chautala has resigned from his ministerial position following a dispute with the BJP over election tickets. Chautala’s resignation comes after the BJP announced its first list of 67 candidates for the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, which notably excluded Chautala from the Rania Assembly seat he was vying for.
Chautala expressed his frustration with the BJP’s decision, stating, “I will contest the election from Rania Assembly at any cost. BJP had offered me to contest the election from Dabwali but I refused. I will show my strength by doing a road show. I may contest from some other party or as an independent candidate, but I will definitely contest.”
The BJP’s first list of candidates, released on September 4, has made headlines for dropping nine sitting MLAs and including several new entrants. Among the notable changes, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has been shifted from his current Karnal seat to contest from Ladwa. The party has also fielded former Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal from Ratia, despite her previous loss in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP’s strategic candidate selections have stirred significant political maneuvering, with the party attempting to balance the inclusion of senior leaders and political families while introducing fresh faces. Chautala’s resignation and his pledge to contest the Rania seat—whether through another party or as an independent—reflect a broader undercurrent of dissatisfaction and realignment within Haryana’s political landscape.
As the nomination process begins, Chautala’s move is likely to impact the electoral dynamics in the region, adding a layer of intrigue to the forthcoming assembly elections.