Haryana Assembly Election 2024: Big blow to Congress, what Deepender Hooda's close aide Jaspal Antil said while quitting party?

In a significant development ahead of Haryana Assembly Election 2024, Jaspal Antil, a close aide of MP Deepender Hooda, has resigned from the Congress. He submitted his resignation to Udaybhan, the party’s state president, citing grievances against former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son, Deepender Hooda. Antil, a longstanding Congress member and current party delegate, has made several serious allegations, claiming betrayal and isolation after years of service.

'Even sold my own land to support Congress'

In his resignation, Antil accused Bhupinder and Deepender Hooda of using people for their political gain, stating that despite his unwavering commitment to the party, he was discarded when it mattered most. Antil claims to have even sold his own land to support the Congress, only to find himself sidelined and disillusioned.

'Ticket was given to a leader who became active 3 months ago'

One of his major grievances stems from not receiving a party ticket from the Rai constituency. Despite his years of service, the ticket was given to another leader who had become active in Congress only three months earlier. Antil expressed frustration, stating that the hard work and sacrifices he made over 16 years had gone unrecognized.

A Legacy of Service in Congress

Jaspal Antil, a resident of Khewda village in Sonipat, joined the Congress in 2009. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, beginning with a Youth Congress membership drive. By 2010, he was appointed the head of the Youth Congress in the Rai constituency. In 2012, he gained significant support, rallying 40,000 youths to the party’s side and eventually being named vice-president of the Youth Congress for the Sonipat Lok Sabha constituency. In 2022, he further strengthened the Congress by adding over 20,000 members from the Rai constituency and was made a Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegate.

However, despite his accomplishments, Antil believes he was overlooked and abandoned by the Hoodas and the party leadership during the current elections, fueling his decision to resign.

After his resignation, Antil told reporters why he quit Congress.

Favoritism in Ticket Distribution

Antil expressed disappointment that the Congress ticket for Rai was awarded to a leader who had only been active in the party for three months. He criticized this decision as a betrayal of his 16 years of dedication and loyalty to the party. Antil’s frustration highlights the broader issue of favoritism in political parties, where long-standing workers often feel neglected.

Key people sidelined

Antil accused Bhupinder Hooda of using every possible means to advance his political career, particularly for his son, Deepender Hooda. He alleged that the Hoodas have consistently sidelined key individuals who helped them rise in power. According to Antil, this pattern of exploitation was evident in both the Sonipat and Rohtak regions.

'Abandoned After Years Hard of Work'

 Antil described how he felt abandoned after dedicating years to the Congress cause. He specifically recounted an incident where Deepender Hooda visited Antil’s own village of Khewda, without even informing him, which Antil viewed as a clear sign of being cast aside by the Hoodas.

Control Over Ticket Allocation

Antil claimed that Deepender Hooda manipulated the narrative around ticket allocation, misleading party workers into believing that the high command was responsible for distributing tickets. However, Antil stated that it became clear that Hooda himself had control over these decisions. He cited examples from other constituencies like Baroda and Ganaur, where similar tactics were used to favor personal allies.

Wrestlers and Farmers used for political gains

 Another explosive allegation by Antil is that the Hoodas have exploited various communities, including wrestlers, for their political benefit. He pointed to the recent protests at Jantar Mantar by Haryana’s wrestlers, claiming that Bhupinder and Deepender Hooda were orchestrating the events behind the scenes. Antil also accused the Hoodas of capitalizing on the farmers' movement to advance their political ambitions, further highlighting their manipulative approach.

Jaspal Antil’s resignation and the allegations he raised have sent ripples through Haryana’s political landscape, particularly within the Congress. His departure marks not just the end of a long association with the party but also raises questions about the internal dynamics of the Congress in Haryana and the influence of the Hooda family.