New Delhi: In a significant political move ahead of the Haryana Assembly Elections on October 5, Sunil Sangwan, the former jail superintendent under whose tenure convicted rapist and murderer Gurmeet Ram Rahim was granted parole or furlough six times, has officially joined the BJP. Sangwan is anticipated to contest the election from Charkhi Dadri, a constituency currently in the spotlight.
Speedy VRS induction clears path to contest
Sangwan's entry into politics follows the Haryana government's quick approval of his voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) application. The process was expedited, ensuring that Sangwan could seamlessly transition from his role in the Gurugram district jail to his new political career. On Sunday, the Director General (DG) of Prisons issued an urgent email to all jail superintendents across the state, requesting immediate no-due certificates to finalize Sangwan's retirement. The email emphasized prompt action, with the DG even scribbling an additional handwritten note urging jail authorities to complete the task by 4 PM the same day.
This swift induction into the BJP has raised eyebrows, particularly given Sangwan's involvement with Ram Rahim's repeated release on parole. Nevertheless, Sangwan’s political ties appear well-established, as his father, Satpal Sangwan, a former Congress minister, switched allegiance to the BJP two months prior.
Contesting a competitive seat
Charkhi Dadri has already seen campaigning efforts from Babita Phogat, the BJP's 2019 candidate for the seat. A well-known wrestler, Phogat secured 24,786 votes in the previous election, accounting for 19.59% of the total vote share, placing her third in the race. She was surpassed by Satpal Sangwan, who ran under the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) banner and garnered 29,577 votes, or 23.38% of the vote share.
Despite Phogat’s early start in her campaign for the upcoming polls, Sunil Sangwan’s entry into the race adds a new dynamic to the Charkhi Dadri constituency. His connections and the backing of the BJP could potentially shift the landscape, making it a contest worth watching closely.
