Haryana Cabinet minister Ranjit Singh Chautala’s recent remarks have added fuel to the simmering tensions within the Haryana Congress, already on edge since the party’s setback in the recent Rajya Sabha polls. Chautala, an Independent legislator aligned with the BJP government led by Manohar Lal Khattar, publicly praised Kiran Choudhry, intensifying the political drama.
In his statement, Chautala acknowledged Choudhry’s esteemed lineage as the daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal and emphasized her independence as a leader, stating, “She is from a renowned family and isn’t anyone’s slave. She is a known leader and has won on her own.” This expression is widely interpreted as a strategic move to lure Choudhry into the BJP’s fold, especially considering her ongoing power struggle with the Hooda camp.
Kiran Choudhry, a four-time MLA from Tosham (Bhiwani), has been a stalwart in the Congress ranks. Her involvement in Haryana politics began after the tragic death of her husband, Bansi Lal’s son Surender Singh, in a helicopter crash in 2005. Despite being a seasoned politician with six Rajya Sabha polls under her belt, Choudhry has recently faced scrutiny within her party for an alleged ‘invalid vote’ that contributed to the defeat of party candidate Ajay Maken in the Rajya Sabha election.
Choudhry has vehemently defended herself against these accusations, asserting her expertise in casting votes and challenging her detractors. The political landscape has become increasingly complex as she contends with internal criticism, primarily from the Hooda camp, and attempts to secure her position within the party.
Ranjit Chautala’s role in persuading rebel leader Kuldeep Bishnoi to vote for the BJP-backed candidate in the June polls underscores the intricate alliances and maneuvers within Haryana politics. The state, historically defined by the influence of political families like the Lals, is witnessing shifts in affiliations and power dynamics.
Choudhry’s potential move to the BJP, if realized, would signify a significant shift, as it would break the trend of Bansi Lal’s family remaining outside the BJP camp. Sources suggest that Ranjit Chautala’s efforts to bring Choudhry into the BJP fold aim to address this gap.
Amidst these political machinations, Choudhry’s association with Congress President Sonia Gandhi may play a crucial role. Her closeness to the party’s high command, demonstrated in a past episode where the Congress high command intervened in a portfolio dispute involving Choudhry, might factor into her political survival.
As the Haryana Congress grapples with internal divisions and leadership challenges, the delicate balance between accommodating dissenting voices and maintaining party unity will likely shape the state’s political landscape in the coming days.
