The recent killing of Indian National Lok Dal’s (INLD) Haryana chief, Nafe Singh Rathee, has taken a political turn as former BJP MLA Naresh Kaushik, a longstanding political rival, has been booked for murder and conspiracy. The history of animosity between the two dates back to successive elections where they contested against each other.
Rathee, who served as the Bahadurgarh MLA from 1996 to 2005, had a three-decade association with the INLD. However, he joined the BJP in 2014 after being denied an Assembly election ticket from Bahadurgarh by the INLD. The BJP, too, overlooked Rathee and fielded Naresh Kaushik, resulting in Rathee contesting as an Independent. In a turn of events, Kaushik emerged victorious, while Rathee finished fourth.
The rivalry continued in the 2019 elections when both Rathee, back with the INLD, and Kaushik, running on a BJP ticket, competed again. The Congress’s Rajender Joon won the seat, with Rathee securing the third position.
The recent murder has fueled tensions, with Rathee’s family blaming local BJP leaders, including Kaushik, for his killing. They allege that Kaushik played a role in numerous cases filed against Rathee’s relatives. The Opposition has termed it a “political murder” and demanded a CBI probe.
In response, State Home Minister Anil Vij assured a thorough investigation by the state police and agreed to a CBI inquiry if deemed necessary by the House. The government subsequently announced its decision to hand over the case to the central agency.
