Amid murmurs that he may join BJP, Kanda calls on CM Khattar, discusses Sirsa

With his acquittal in the case that stretched for 11 years, his path to join the BJP has become absolutely clear. Kanda, however, has so far not disclosed if he would join the saffron party or continue to helm his HLP of which he is the lone MLA.

“Met Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Discussed many issues pertaining to Haryana and Sirsa. We discussed about Sirsa’s roads, canals, and storm water project too. The CM has shown a positive attitude regarding the development works in Sirsa,” Kanda said in a tweet in Hindi.

Kanda’s brother Govind Kanda is already in BJP and had unsuccessfully contested the bypoll from Ellenabad constituency against Indian National Lok Dal’s Abhay Chautala in 2021.

In 2019, when BJP fell short of the majority mark by six in the Haryana Assembly elections, Kanda was among the first to extend support to the saffron party. Attempts were made to make him come on board by the BJP as he was taken to New Delhi in a chartered flight by Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal. The BJP, however, had refrained from taking Kanda on board owing to the ongoing abetment to suicide case against him.

On July 25, hours after the Delhi court verdict acquitting him, Haryana BJP chief spokesperson Sanjay Sharma had said that Kanda was already part of the BJP-led government in Haryana. “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 had said.

Of the nine Assembly segments in Sirsa parliamentary constituency, BJP represents two — Fatehabad (Dura Ram) and Ratia (SC) reserved constituency (Lakshman Napa). Among others, JJP’s Ram Niwas represents Narwana reserved constituency and Devender Singh Babli represents Tohana, respectively. Congress’ Shishpal Singh and Amit Sihag represent Kalanwali reserved constituency and Dabwali, respectively, while Ranjit Singh Chautala, who contested as an Independent candidate represents Rania. INLD’s Abhay Singh Chautala represents Ellenabad.

To reduce its dependence on JJP, which has 10 MLAs and joined hands with the saffron party to form government in Haryana, and also increase its footprint in the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency — considered a stronghold of the Chautalas — it is highly likely that BJP may now get Kanda on board.

As a key player for Bhupinder Singh Hooda in 2009, Kanda had brought along six MLAs with him and helped the veteran Congress leader form government in Haryana. In return, Kanda was made Minister of State (Home). His close aides are now hoping that BJP may also do the same and offer Kanda a ministerial portfolio, provided he joins the party.