Kiran Choudhry: ‘Haryana Congress is baap-beta party… Load lifted off me after joining BJP’

Four-time MLA Chaudhry, who recently moved from Congress to BJP, predicts a BJP win in Haryana, says her daughter will win by “thumping majority” if fielded by party

Written by Sukhbir Siwach
Chandigarh | Updated: August 25, 2024 06:25 PM IST

4 min read

BJP Rajya Sabha candidate Kiran Choudhry. (Photo: Kiran Choudhry/ X)

Kiran Choudhry, a former four-time MLA of Haryana and a bitter rival of ex-Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the Congress, finally left the party to join the BJP in June. The BJP has now fielded her as its nominee for a Rajya Sabha seat, and she is set to be elected unopposed on August 27 given the BJP’s strength in the Assembly. As the daughter-in-law of former CM Bansi Lal, Choudhry belongs to one of the three Lal dynasties that once ruled Haryana. She speaks to The Indian Express about her experiences in the Congress and BJP, and the issues at play in the Haryana Assembly polls, scheduled for October 1. Excerpts:

You were with the Congress for a long time. How do you look back at your stint in the party?

I am relieved. A load has lifted off me after I entered the BJP because this is a disciplined party. There is a method to everything, unlike what is happening in the Haryana Congress.

In Haryana, there is nothing called the Congress. There is only a baap-beta (father-son) party left. Anyone who is capable of coming up is cut down to size. Both father (Bhupinder) and son (Deepender) are so insecure. (Bhupinder) wants to clear the field for his son, who is completely incapable. There are so many cases hanging on their heads, they are compromised. They will never do anything good for the party. In fact, the father and son have finished the party in Haryana.

What is your view on the other Congress faction, led by former state chief Kumari Selja?

In the Haryana Congress, only the baap-beta is left. They are out to destroy whatever is left…The Congress is already on a ventilator, drawing its last breaths, in the state.

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How do you see your future in your new party, the BJP?

I will work diligently for the betterment of the state and the country as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a Viksit Bharat in 2047. It would be my fortune if I would be able to contribute a little bit.

What would your role be in the Haryana Assembly elections?

I am now a part of the BJP. Whatever duties are given to me, I will fulfil the same diligently to bring the BJP to power in Haryana for a third time.

With your Rajya Sabha election a formality, what are your plans for the Upper House?

As the daughter of an Army officer, patriotism is part of my DNA. I will take up the issues that are in consonance with the PM’s vision of Viksit Bharat and the issues for the betterment of the people of Haryana.

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Will your daughter Shruti contest in the Assembly elections?

It is up to the BJP leadership to decide. If they do, Shruti will win by a thumping majority.

What are the main poll issues in Haryana?

Most of the issues have already been taken care of by the BJP government. The issues of farmers have already been addressed – minimum support price (MSP) for 24 crops has been announced. To address the issue of unemployment, a very healthy environment has been developed. So many people have already been employed without any kharchi-parchi (favouritism) and regionalism.