In a significant political development ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Savitri Jindal, India’s wealthiest woman and former Haryana minister, has made a notable switch from the Congress party to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 84-year-old announced her decision to join the ruling BJP at an event in Haryana’s Hisar, a move that comes in the wake of her son, industrialist Naveen Jindal, also transitioning to the saffron outfit from the grand old party.
Savitri Jindal’s decision to quit the Congress, where she had been a prominent figure, underscores a significant shift in Haryana’s political landscape. Her departure from the Congress follows closely on the heels of her son’s decision to align with the BJP, indicating a familial and possibly strategic realignment within the state’s political circles.
Having served as a minister in the previous Congress-led government under Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Savitri Jindal’s move carries weight, especially in Hisar, where she has a long-standing association with the people as their elected representative. Her statement, citing familial advice as the reason behind her decision, reflects the intricate dynamics at play within the state’s political corridors.
Naveen Jindal, in his transition to the BJP, has expressed his intention to contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India (‘Viksit Bharat’). His candidature from the Kurukshetra constituency underlines the strategic positioning of the Jindal family within the BJP’s electoral strategy for the upcoming polls.
However, the Jindal family’s entry into the BJP fold comes amid ongoing legal scrutiny. Naveen Jindal’s company, Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Jharkhand. The ED’s probe into money laundering charges related to the coal block allocation adds a layer of complexity to the political transition of the Jindal family.
Despite these legal challenges, the Jindal family’s formidable wealth, as highlighted by their ranking on the Forbes list of India’s richest individuals, positions them as influential figures not only in the business world but also in the political arena. Savitri Jindal’s net worth of $29.1 billion, coupled with Naveen Jindal’s industrial prowess, adds a significant dimension to their political clout.
The BJP’s embrace of Savitri and Naveen Jindal signifies a strategic move to leverage their influence and resources in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. With Savitri Jindal’s stronghold in Hisar and Naveen Jindal’s political ambitions, the BJP aims to consolidate its position in Haryana while tapping into the wealth and network of one of India’s most affluent families.
As the political landscape continues to evolve in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the entry of Savitri and Naveen Jindal into the BJP fold marks a significant development that could have far-reaching implications for Haryana’s electoral dynamics and the national political scenario alike.
