Haryana BJP Establishes Screening Panels to Vet New Entrants, Aims to Prevent 'Congressisation'
In a strategic move to safeguard its ideological integrity, the Bharatiya Janata Party in Haryana has constituted comprehensive screening committees at both state and district levels. This initiative comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned about the "ills of the Congress" during a party event in Delhi.
Two-Tier Screening Mechanism Announced
Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli officially announced the formation of these vetting panels on Tuesday. The state-level screening committee comprises prominent BJP figures including Parliamentary Board member Sudha Yadav, state minister Krishan Bedi, and former state ministers Kanwar Pal Gurjar and Subhash Sudha.
At the district level, similar panels consisting of three to four members have been established. These district committees typically include the district party president and district in-charge, creating a comprehensive two-tier vetting system across Haryana.
Preserving Ideological Character
A senior BJP leader emphasized that the primary objective behind this move is to "preserve the party's ideological character." The leader expressed concern about potential "Congressisation" of the BJP, stating: "We do not want the BJP to lose its identity and undergo Congressisation."
The leader further explained Haryana's unique political landscape, noting that unlike Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, or Rajasthan, the BJP's growth in Haryana wasn't built solely on organizational strength. "Leaders from the Congress, Indian National Lok Dal, Jannayak Janata Party, and Haryana Vikas Party played significant roles in our expansion," the leader acknowledged.
Strategic Balance Between Old and New
The BJP leadership recognizes the need for a delicate balance. "While those who win elections on BJP ticket cannot be termed outsiders, it is equally true that power cannot be entirely handed over to new entrants. A fine balance is needed," the senior leader elaborated.
Satish Poonia, BJP's Haryana in-charge, provided additional context for the screening panels. He noted that some individuals seek party entry primarily for "personal political gains," which often triggers objections from dedicated party workers. "These screening committees will discuss with all stakeholders, assess the intent of aspirants, and ensure that new entrants strengthen the party," Poonia explained.
Recent Political Crossovers and Context
The announcement coincided with significant political developments, including the crossover of Ishwar Singh, former chairman of the National Scheduled Caste Commission and ex-Rajya Sabha MP, from Congress to BJP. This marked one of the most significant inductions into the state BJP in nearly a year.
Earlier in February 2025, Congress leader Sardar Trilochan Singh had switched to BJP ahead of municipal polls. Singh had previously contested the 2024 Karnal bypoll against Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on a Congress ticket.
Congress Dismisses BJP's Move
The principal Opposition Congress has dismissed the BJP's screening committee initiative as "inconsequential." Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda questioned the necessity of such panels in a relatively small state like Haryana. "If someone is important, everyone already knows the leader. Has the BJP ever refused entry to anyone? They are welcoming leaders from the Congress, INLD and everywhere else," Hooda remarked.
Political Exchanges Continue
The BJP has also experienced notable exits in recent times. Veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Birender Singh, along with his son Brijendra Singh (a BJP MP from Hisar), returned to Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Additionally, ahead of the October 2024 Assembly elections, former Lok Sabha MP and Dalit leader Ashok Tanwar and former Haryana minister Karan Dev Kamboj left the BJP for Congress.
Electoral Context
Despite Congress winning 37 seats in the 90-member Assembly with a vote share of 39.09% (marginally behind BJP's 39.94%), the party failed to reclaim power. The BJP secured its third consecutive victory with 48 seats, dealing another significant blow to Congress in the state.
The newly established screening mechanism aims to bring uniformity to the induction process and prevent what Poonia described as "casual" inductions without proper scrutiny. Only after thorough assessment will applications for party entry be forwarded to senior leadership for final clearance.
