Two more INLD MLAs, one independent join BJP in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: In another setback for the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), two more party MLAs and one independent legislator joined the ruling BJP in Haryana on Monday in the presence of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. These included INLD’s Rania MLA Ram Chander Kamboj and Firozpur Jhirka MLA Naseem Ahmed and independent MLA Jasbir Deswal.
With this, the number of INLD MLAs has officially gone down to nine, which includes JJP’s leader Naina Chautala and three others who are facing the disqualification petitions in Haryana assembly.
Kamboj had quit the primary membership of INLD last week and his resignation is lying with state INLD president B D Dhalia. Naseem had initially joined Congress without resigning but was prodded by former MLA Zakir Hussain, who had joined BJP last month, to join the saffron fold.
Deswal had defeated senior BJP leader and former Union minister Sushma Swaraj’s sister Vandana Sharma from Safidon seat in the last assembly elections. He was targeted by the income tax sleuths in April 2017, when his educational institutions and other offices were targeted.
Interacting with the media persons here, Deswal said his main reason for joining the party was the overall development of his constituency and cooperation from Khattar. Similarly, Kamboj and Naseem said transparent administration and uniform development in the state was their reason for joining the BJP.
Welcoming them, Khattar said, “This has increased our BJP parivar in the state. We shall try to utilize their expertise and command over the constituency for the purpose development.’’