"Rattled": Ex Haryana Ally JJP Hits Out At BJP After Security Cover Withdrawn

Chandigarh – A political storm is brewing in Haryana as the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), formerly an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has strongly criticized the state government following the withdrawal of security cover for several of its leaders. The Haryana Police's recent decision to scale back security for 72 individuals, including prominent JJP figures and family members of former Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, has triggered a heated exchange and accusations of political vendetta.

The security reduction comes on the heels of a directive from Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) O.P. Singh, who spoke out against individuals flaunting their security as a status symbol. The DGP had issued a letter expressing disapproval of the practice of displaying police security at public places like malls and cinemas. He urged officers to blacklist "manipulators" who misuse security. The Haryana Police officially announced the security withdrawals on social media, stating that the action followed a district-level review based on threat assessments and extortion concerns. Over 200 Personal Security Officers (PSOs) have been recalled from duty as a result of the review.

Among those affected by the security downgrade are Digvijay Chautala, the president of JJP's youth wing and brother of Dushyant Chautala, along with Dushyant's father-in-law, Paramjit Singh Ahlawat, a retired Additional Director General of Police, and Devender Kadyan, an office bearer of the JJP.

JJP leaders have reacted sharply, alleging that the security withdrawal is a politically motivated move by the BJP government. They claim that the decision was triggered by the JJP's successful rally in Julana on December 7, where concerns were raised about the deteriorating law and order situation in Haryana. Digvijay Chautala, in particular, has been vocal in his criticism, suggesting that the DGP is acting more like a "dictator" than a public servant. He also stated that the BJP government was "rattled and panicked" by the JJP rally.

Digvijay Chautala had previously been assigned a commando after an incident in Dabwali involving gunfire at a statue of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, which he had installed. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang had allegedly claimed responsibility for the incident.

According to reports, the security cover was also withdrawn from Brij Sharma, JJP state chief, Devender Kadian, and Haryanavi rapper Rahul Fazilpuria. Fazilpuria, who contested the 2024 parliamentary polls from Gurgaon on a JJP ticket, had been assigned four security personnel after receiving threats.

The JJP is planning to challenge the security withdrawal in court, raising concerns about the safety and security of its leaders. A senior JJP leader questioned who would be responsible if any untoward incident occurred with any of these leaders.

This recent development marks another chapter in the evolving political landscape of Haryana, particularly after the BJP and JJP parted ways earlier in 2024 due to disagreements over seat sharing for the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, which had won 40 seats in the 90-member Haryana assembly in 2019, had formed a post-poll alliance with the JJP, which had won 10 seats. The alliance resulted in Manohar Lal Khattar continuing as Chief Minister and Dushyant Chautala becoming the Deputy Chief Minister. However, the BJP later formed a new government with the support of independent candidates, with Nayab Singh Saini taking over as Chief Minister.