Tanwar projected as next CM

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, February 11

Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Ashok Tanwar, who reached here to attend a public function here, was projected as the next Chief Minister of the state today.

Banners and posters declaring Tanwar as the would-be Chief Minister of Haryana dotted Ravidass Hostel, which was the venue for today’s function. The event was organised to mark the induction of former INLD leader Anoop Singh Kataria into the party.

Kataria, a prominent leader of the Kalanaur Assembly constituency who has remained state secretary, general secretary and executive member of the INLD, joined the Congress along with his supporters in Tanwar’s presence today.

Former Haryana minister Subhash Batra and other Congress leaders welcomed Kataria into the party and exhorted the people to strengthen Tanwar’s leadership.

The speakers maintained that leaders of all prominent upper castes in Haryana had served as Chief Ministers and now it was the turn of a Dalit leader to do so.

The move to project Tanwar as the next Chief Minister assumes significance in view of the fact that it was made at Rohtak, the hometown and political stronghold of veteran Congress leader and two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

On being asked about his projection as CM, Tanwar said the decision was up to the people of the state and the party high command. In response to another query, the Congress leader denied any infighting in the party.

“We are going to launch a statewide agitation against the policies and programmes of the BJP government on February 19,” he stated.