In what is being seen as yet another sign of simmering factionalism within the BJP in south Haryana, Union Minister and MP Rao Inderjit Singh, along with almost the entire political camp identified with him, skipped a high-profile Khet Bachao Abhiyan programme at Bawal on Tuesday that was attended by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The programme, organised at the Agriculture College in Bawal, witnessed the conspicuous absence of Rao Inderjit Singh and nearly all leaders considered close to him.
Besides the MP, all three BJP MLAs from Rewari district—Laxman Singh Yadav (Rewari), Dr Krishan Kumar (Bawal) and Anil Yadav (Kosli)—did not attend.
District BJP president Vandana Popli, several district office-bearers and five BJP mandal presidents also stayed away, making the absence of the entire “Rao camp" difficult to ignore.
According to associates of Rao Inderjit Singh, the Union Minister was unwell and therefore could not attend the programme.
It may be noted that Rao had missed the International Yoga Day function in Rewari, where he was supposed to be the chief guest. He had cited the same reason then.
The three BJP MLAs, meanwhile, attributed their absence to personal or official commitments.
Rewari MLA Laxman Singh Yadav said he was on a pre-scheduled official visit to Gujarat with a Haryana Assembly committee from June 29 to July 3.
Bawal MLA Dr Krishan Kumar said he was unable to attend due to a sudden illness. He added that he also had to miss a development programme in his own constituency involving projects worth Rs 121 crore because of his health.
Kosli MLA Anil Yadav said he had travelled to Chandigarh on official work and would return only by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, due to which he could not attend the Bawal event.
The seating arrangement, coupled with the conspicuous absence of another prominent section of the district leadership, became a talking point in political circles.
Although those absent have cited individual reasons, the simultaneous absence of Rao Inderjit Singh and virtually his entire political camp from a major BJP programme has once again revived discussion over internal equations and factional politics within the party in south Haryana.
