JOIN USR'than Congress leader joins BJP, stirs political calculations
As Hari Singh, a former Congress MP and vice president of Pradesh Congress Committee joins BJP, Jat politics has again brewed up in the state right before the state elections, evoking mixed responses from the community leaders.
Many Jat leaders are of the view that Singh’s change of loyalty will not make big difference to any party, but those affiliated with the BJP call this a major development and a beginning of many such crossovers in the days to come.
Polarisation of votes
“Hari Singh’s entry means BJP’s association with a sizeable Jats who are active in various districts of the state. This is just the start of polarisation of Jat votes. More prominent Jat leaders may join the party in the coming months,” said Digambar Singh, BJP legislator, who is seen as a key person behind Hari Singh’s foray into the BJP’s fold.
However, not all agree with him.
Badri Jakhar, Congress MP from Pali, says that Hari Singh lost last elections and is no more a mass leader.
He calls him a spent force and believes that a lost candidate abandoning Congress would neither cause any loss to them nor will it help the saffron party.
“Instead it will strengthen Congress. Opportunist leaders leaving the party will only help our party. Singh has the habit of switching parties and this is the fourth party he is joining,” added Badri Jakhar.
Cautious
Narayan Singh, another Jat leader, however prefers to remain cautious.
He says, “Only time will tell whether he can polarize Jat votes.”
Many Congress leaders pointed out that no senior Jat leader was present on the occasion which marked his entry in BJP.
Former Union minister Natwar Singh was conspicuous by his presence but former Union minister Sisram Ola didn’t show up.
Hari Singh used the occasion of Harit Jayanti for personal benefits, alleged Congress.