Khap leader’s banner of revolt against BJP

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jind, January 13

Ahead of the crucial Jind bypoll, the ruling BJP is facing a voice of dissent from party leaders.

Tek Ram Kandela, a khap leader and a BJP member, disapproved the candidature of the party nominee Krishan Middha.

Kandela said he joined the party in November after he was assured by the state leadership that he would be a preferred choice for the Jind bypoll.

Kandela told TheTribune on Sunday thathe would not campa-ign for the BJP candidate as he had felt humi-liated and tricked by the party leaders.

Kandela, national convener of the Sarvjatiya Sarv Khap Panchayat, said he had been approached by the Congress, the INLD and the JJP contestants for electoral support. Today, JJP patron Ajay Chautala visited Kandela’s residence seeking support.

“I have called a meeting of my supporters at Kandela village on Wednesday to take further decision. I have a strong objection the way the BJP president and other senior functionaries behaved. My supporters said they want an explanation from the party for backtracking on their assurance of my candidature,” said Kandela.

Kandela, a Jat leader,is the head of theKandela khap that have influence in more than 25 villages in the Jind Assembly segment.

In the last Assembly elections, Kandela had contested as an Independent candidate from Jind and he had got 11,223 votes. He finished sixth in the electoral race and secured 9.22 per cent of the total votes.