Announcing his exit from Congress, former Union Minister and MlA from Ambala city, Venod Sharma on Sunday showered praise on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for his vision to take the country forward.
“Modi, who used to sell tea, has on the basis of his hard work and honesty risen to a position where people want to see him as Prime Minister,” said Sharma, while addressing Jan Chetna Mahayagya, an event which Sharma had organised to mark the end of his 101-day-old Jan Chetna Yatra in the State. Applauding BJP, Sharma said, “It is the culture of BJP party, which provides an opportunity to such an ordinary person (Modi), to contest for the Prime Minister’s post.”
“I have left Congress party, and I assure you that I will not let you down,” added Sharma, who was once a close confidant of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. While justifying his step, Sharma said that he had to leave Congress due to its undemocratic attitude, wrong perception on secularism and difference between commitment and act.
Few days back, when Sharma had submitted his resignation to Congress high command, it was speculated that he would join BJP, after he had a meeting with BJP chief Rajnath Singh at Delhi head office. But, BJP senior leaders had refused Sharma’s entry in the party due to his direct involvement in land deals between Robert Vadra and DlF, when he was a Congressman.
later, Sharma was likely to join Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) party, an ally of BJP. But, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj had expressed her opposition to his entry in HJC. After this, there was speculation that Sharma may join BSP. However, Sharma did not clarify whether he was joining any party. Without naming HJC chief Kuldeep Bishnoi, Sharma, said, “Bhajan lal family is quite close to me and it would remain as it is.”
Sharma had 40 years association with the Congress party. He started his political career with AICC in 1978 and thereafter, he remained on several posts, including president of Haryana Youth Congress, MlA from Banur constituency, president of Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, member of Rajya Sabha, Union Minister, member of Congress Working Committee, MlA from Ambala constituency and chairman of Haryana election campaign committee.
Sharma said, “Every person has to take such steps in his life, which may be considered wrong by some people but after the association with Congress party for 40 years, I had to take this step for my own people.” Sharma also blamed Bhupinder Singh Hooda Government for irregular development in the State. The former Union Minister said that the Congress is faced with a situation where its leaders do not want to face the electorate. “Selja was elected as lok Sabha MP from Ambala seat in the 2009 polls.