The simmering factionalism within the Bharatiya Janata Party in south Haryana came to the fore once again on Tuesday when Union Minister and MP Rao Inderjit Singh, along with nearly all leaders identified with his camp, skipped a high-profile Khet Bachao Abhiyan programme at Bawal. The event was attended by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Conspicuous absence of entire Rao camp
The programme, held at the Agriculture College in Bawal, saw the absence of not only Rao Inderjit Singh but also all three BJP MLAs from Rewari district: Laxman Singh Yadav (Rewari), Dr Krishan Kumar (Bawal) and Anil Yadav (Kosli). Additionally, district BJP president Vandana Popli, several district office-bearers and five BJP mandal presidents stayed away, making the absence of the entire "Rao camp" difficult to ignore.
According to associates of Rao Inderjit Singh, the Union Minister was unwell and therefore could not attend the programme. This was the second time in recent days that Rao had missed a major event in Rewari due to health reasons; he had also skipped the International Yoga Day function in Rewari, where he was supposed to be the chief guest.
MLAs cite personal or official commitments
The three BJP MLAs attributed their absence to personal or official commitments. Rewari MLA Laxman Singh Yadav said he was on a pre-scheduled official visit to Gujarat with a Haryana Assembly committee from June 29 to July 3. Bawal MLA Dr Krishan Kumar said he was unable to attend due to a sudden illness, adding that he had to miss a development programme in his own constituency involving projects worth Rs 121 crore because of his health. Kosli MLA Anil Yadav said he had travelled to Chandigarh on official work and would return only by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.
Seating arrangement and political undercurrents
The seating arrangement at the event, coupled with the conspicuous absence of a prominent section of the district leadership, became a talking point in political circles. Although those absent cited individual reasons, the simultaneous absence of Rao Inderjit Singh and virtually his entire political camp from a major BJP programme has once again revived discussion over internal equations and factional politics within the party in south Haryana.
