Taking dynastic politics a step ahead, Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC), an ally of the BJP in the State, on Tuesday announced the two Bishnoi brothers — former deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan as party nominee from Karnal and Kuldeep Bishnoi from Hisar.
Renuka Bishnoi, the wife of Kuldeep is an MlA from Adampur, making it three in the family. In its quota of two seats, HJC has got Karnal and Hisar while the remaining 8 seats would be fought by BJP. Earlier, Venod Sharma, former Union Minister and Ambala MlA, was set to join HJC after he quit Congress on March 5, but the plan was scuttled owing to stiff resistance by Sushma Swaraj who was opposed to his entry either in the saffron party or joining their ally.
Mohan, who had represented Kalka Assembly segment on four occasions, had found himself in thick of controversy a few years back when he had announced embracing Islam as Chand Mohammad to marry a former law officer from Haryana, late Anuradha Bali alias Fiza Mohammed. At that time, he was already married with two children. Before Fiza’s mysterious death in 2012, Mohan had separated from her and returned to his Bishnoi fold as the Bhajan lal clan and his community had ostracised him.
While Bishnoi’s candidature from Hisar was a foregone conclusion as he is the sitting MP, questions are being raised on Chander Mohan’s candidature from Karnal. There is only one per cent Bishnoi votes across Haryana, including 30,000 in Hisar constituency and less than 100 voters in Karnal constituency. Even Kuldeep Bishnoi, himself, while benefiting from a sympathy wave in the wake of death of his father Bhajan lal in the 2009 parliamentary by-elections managed to win by a thin margin in a bye-election.
Kuldeep Bishnoi would have to face two strong contenders — sitting Congress MlA Sampat Singh and INlD chief Om Prakash Chautala’s grandson Dushyant Chautala, who had committed vote bank among Jat voters there. At Karnal situation may not be favorable for his son Chander Mohan. Sitting MP Arvind Sharma of Congress is expected to give stiff competition.
Big question mark on Venod Sharma’s future in politics
Chandigarh: After announcement of candidature of Chander Mohan for Karnal seat on HJC ticket, uncertainly prevails on the future of rebel Congress MlA Venod Sharma, who was trying to get ticket from HJC from this seat after leaving Congress earlier this month. Sharma tried to get entry in HJC but after the opposition by senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, nothing materialised. It seems all doors are closed on him for the lok Sabha polls. Now, neither can he go back to Congress, nor can he join HJC. He has options only in the Indian National lok Dal (INlD) for upcoming Assembly elections, which are scheduled in October this year.
