HISAR: BJP candidates in Ratia and Hisar assembly seats of Haryana faced public ire on Monday and Tuesday. Ratia contestant Sunita Duggal, a former MP, was on Tuesday chased down by farm activists and coerced to say that farmers protesting on Shambhu and Khanauri borders are real.
The workers of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kheti Bachao) also made Duggal admit to the need of a thorough probe into a Punjab farmer, Shubhkaran Singh, being shot dead on the Khanauri border this Feb. In Hisar, a slipper was hurled at party candidate Dr Kamal Gupta when he was speaking at a public meeting in Badwali Dhani village on Monday night. The slipper hit him, but Gupta continued his speech.
People at the meeting caught the man who threw the slipper and took him out. Later, Gupta claimed that he was gaining popularity, and the entire incident was a “conspiracy” by rival parties.
Duggal, who has already been facing opposition from local BJP leadership, was speaking at an election meeting in Lamba village when farm activists, led by BKU (Kheti Bachao) chief Satnam Lamba, reached the spot. To save her, Duggal was taken through a dirt road by her security personnel. However, the activists chased them down at nearby Dhani village.
The farmers also forced Duggal to admit to it being wrong on Haryana govt’s part to block the way of protesting farmers from Punjab and Haryana.
Duggal had to earlier apologise for saying that protesting farmers were associated with opposition parties. On Sept 18, the BJP candidate faced opposition from them when she reached Bhuthan Kalan village. Duggal is facing opposition from local cadres of BJP too, with the outgoing party MLA, Laxman Das, switching to the Congress after he was overlooked for the party ticket. It is being said local leaders are not supporting Duggal, who lost from Ratia in 2014 assembly polls.
In Hisar, former Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Chandra has refused to back Dr Gupta, who is facing BJP MP Naveen Jindal’s mother, independent candidate Savitri Jindal.
We also published the following articles recently
Punjab farmer dies by suicide at Khanauri protest site
A 53-year-old landless farmer, Gurmeet Singh from Mansa, allegedly died by suicide at the Khanauri protest site, where farmers have been demonstrating since February 13. Financial stress due to unpaid electricity bills is cited as a reason. His body is in the Samana government hospital mortuary, awaiting post-mortem.
Farmers protesting at borders are not farmers, says former Haryana CM Khattar
Former CM Manohar Lal Khattar criticized a BJP worker for attempting to take a selfie with him, reiterating his no-selfie rule. During a BJP campaign event, Khattar controversially claimed that those protesting at borders were not genuine farmers but disruptors, drawing criticism. His remarks have intensified political tensions amid ongoing farmer protests.
'Kangana's baseless, illogical rants against farmers, Sikhs damaging party': BJP spokesperson
BJP distances itself from Kangana Ranaut's remarks about reviving farm laws, labeling them as personal and illogical. National spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill emphasizes that her statements do not represent the party's stance, highlighting PM Modi's strong bond with Punjab's farmers. Ranaut's comments had sparked significant controversy and opposition backlash.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.