Chandigarh: Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli on Monday issued a show-cause notice to the state energy, transport and labour minister Anil Vij for publicly speaking against him and chief minister Nayab Saini.
Vij, 71, a seven-time MLA from Ambala Cantt, who is the senior most legislator in the state, in a scathing remark against Saini, had a few days ago saying that he (Saini) would come to know about people’s problems only if he got down from his helicopter (udan khatola). He had also threatened to sit on fast-unto-death over alleged non-compliance of his orders by the authorities.
Notably, his remarks came in the backdrop of his demand for suspension of a police officer and an officer of the food and supplies department which had not been complied with by the government.
Accusing party leaders of working against him during the assembly polls held in October last year, Vij took to X to post: ``Ashish Tayal, who calls himself a friend of Nayab Saini, has many pictures with Nayab Saini on Facebook. The same workers who are seen with Ashish Tayal during the assembly elections are also seen with the BJP's opposing candidate Chitra Sarwara. What is this relationship called? Tayal is still Nayab Saini's best friend, so the question arises who made him oppose the BJP candidate?
Chitra, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, had fought against Vij as an independent candidate and finished second in the Haryana assembly election held in October, 2024.
Pertinently, it was one of several swipes Vij had taken at Saini during the past about a fortnight. His remarks come at a time when the Saini-government was celebrating 100 days in office.
Vij had also demanded Badoli’s resignation on ``moral grounds’’ after Badoli was named in a rape case in Kasauli town of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.
The party notice, issued by Badoli on the directions of party national president, accuses Vij of making serious allegations that are against the party policies and internal discipline. He has been asked to give a written explanation within three days.
The notice also took a serious note of the timing of his remarks during Delhi assembly elections, which, the notice held, were ``unacceptable’’ and aimed at harming the party