Hours after Gopal Kanda’s acquittal in airhostess suicide case, Haryana BJP extends invitation to join saffron camp

Speaking to The Indian Express after Kanda’s acquittal, Haryana BJP chief spokesperson Sanjay Sharma said, “Gopal Kanda is already a part of the BJP-led NDA government in Haryana. The law has worked as per its own course in his case and we believe in following the law.”

Sharma added, “I believe an independent MLA can’t join any other political party as it may invite disqualification of the member from the Assembly. But despite that, if he wants to join us, then he is welcome to do so. It’s his wish.”

Sharma also said, “He was invited to the recent NDA meeting too and he had sent his brother Govind Kanda.”

Kanda has been supporting the BJP-led government in Haryana since the 2019 Assembly polls. However, the BJP had not offered him any position apparently due to the pendency of the case against him. After his acquittal Tuesday, Kanda said, “There was no evidence against me. The allegations were false and the court has given its verdict today (Tuesday).”

Earlier, ahead of the 2021 Ellenabad bypoll in Haryana’s Sirsa district, Govind Kanda had joined the BJP and the saffron party had fielded him against INLD’s Abhay Chautala.

Chautala, who had then resigned in support of the agitating farmers, had won the poll battle. Earlier, Govind Kanda had contested from Sirsa district’s Rania Assembly seat in 2019 but had lost to Independent candidate Ranjit Singh Chautala who is currently a cabinet minister in the BJP-JJP alliance government.