Birender’s watch & shoes remark draws khap ire

JIND: Reacting sharply to the reported statement of Union Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh that he wears a watch of Rs 9 lakh and uses shoes costing Rs 45,000, the Khatkar khap and Bangar Jagriti Manch today announced a protest against him and also said that the minister must declare the net worth of his assets.

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jind, May 19

Reacting sharply to the reported statement of Union Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh that he wears a watch of Rs 9 lakh and uses shoes costing Rs 45,000, the Khatkar khap and Bangar Jagriti Manch today announced a protest against him and also said that the minister must declare the net worth of his assets.

“It’s a cruel joke on the distressed farmers of the country. At a time when farmers are committing suicides due to crop loss and debt, Singh, who claims to be a son of a farmer said that he wears such expensive watches ansd shoes, said Krishan Khatkar, president of Khatkar Khap and president of Bangar Jagriti Manch.

The khap has influence in around 20 villages of Uchana constituency from where Prem Lata, wife of Chaudhary is a BJP MLA. Chaudhary himself won the seat five times but lost it INLD chief Om Parkash Chautala in the last elections.

Such criticism by Bangar leaders is bound to cause anxious moments in Birender’s camp as he has always projected himself as a tall leader of the Bangar belt. In the last Assembly elections, Chaudhary had succeeded in getting tickets in this belt for his supporters all of whom lost but for his wife.

“We have decided to start a protest against Chaudhary for fooling the people of the country by projecting himself as son of a farmer. Had he been what he claims he would not have used such costly things. Farmers are committing suicides in his home district and he is making such statements” alleged said Khatkar.

He said they would start the protest at Uchana and then take it to the district level. If Chaudhary fails to make public his property details, we would start a protest in New Delhi,” he said.

‘Joke on farmers’}It’s a cruel joke on the distressed farmers of the country. At a time when farmers are committing suicides due to crop loss and debt, Singh, who claims to be a son of a farmer, said he wears such expensive watches and shoes Krishan Khatkar, president, bangar jagriti manch