In a significant political shift in Haryana, senior Congress leader Kiran Choudhry and her daughter, Shruti Choudhry, have resigned from the Congress party. Their departure comes as a blow to Congress ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in October.

The Resignation

Feeling “stifled and humiliated,” Kiran Choudhry, a sitting MLA from Tosham, and Shruti Choudhry, a former MP and working president of the state unit, have decided to “look ahead.” They are all set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi today.

Denied Ticket and Allegations

Shruti Choudhry was denied a ticket, despite party surveys indicating a 56% chance of her winning, compared to the official Congress candidate, Rao Dan Singh, who stood at only 32%. The Choudhrys’ stronghold in Bhiwani was overlooked, and after the Congress candidate’s loss, blame was shifted to Shruti.

In her resignation letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Kiran Choudhry expressed frustration with the state unit being run as a “personal fiefdom.” She emphasized her four-decade association with the Congress but chose to “look ahead” for a fresh start.

Shruti, in her letter, criticized the party for becoming “one person-centric,” compromising the party’s interests. Although she didn’t name anyone, the constant “humiliation” during campaigning pushed her to explore other options.

BJP’s Gain

The BJP, aiming to recover from the loss of Jat leader Birender Singh and his son, former Hisar MP Brijendra Singh, to the Congress, has decided to induct Kiran and Shruti Choudhry ahead of the Assembly polls. Kiran might be considered for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat, while Shruti could receive an Assembly ticket.

Kiran Choudhry’s resignation from the Congress raises questions about whether she will also resign from the Vidhan Sabha. The political landscape in Haryana is shifting, and the BJP gains two prominent leaders while Congress faces a setback.