Deepender stands tall in citadel : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Deepender stands tall in citadel

ROHTAK: Seeking a re-election from the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat for a fourth term, Congress candidate Deepender Singh Hooda, 41, son of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is going strong in his family’s bastion, but the fear of last-minute polarisation of votes on caste lines worries supporters.

Deepender stands tall in citadel

Congress candidate Deepender Singh Hooda campaigns at Kiloi village in Rohtak district. RAVI KUMAR



Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, april 25

Seeking a re-election from the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat for a fourth term, Congress candidate Deepender Singh Hooda, 41, son of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is going strong in his family’s bastion, but the fear of last-minute polarisation of votes on caste lines worries supporters.

Such is the grip of the Hooda clan over the seat that of the 17 elections held so far since 1952, the family has won nine times — thrice by Deepender, four times by his father and twice by sitting MP’s grandfather Ranbir Singh Hooda. He is pitted against BJP’s Arvind Sharma.

Out for campaigning in his father’s Garhi-Sampla- Kiloi Assembly segment, Deepender canvasses late into the night. At Kiloi, where he is scheduled to address a rally at 4 pm, he enters the village periphery around 9.30 pm.

Youths dance ahead of his SUV on campaign songs eulogising Hooda Senior and Deepender. As the cavalcade passes through the narrow lanes, villagers gather to greet the young MP.

“During the 14 years of my stint, I got 1,168 km of national highway constructed, brought AIIMS, IIT, IIM, FDDI and IHM to Rohtak, besides health, women and skill development universities,” he says in his address.

“New power projects were set up, rail over-bridges constructed and schemes initiated for farmers and weaker sections. Jobs were provided to the youth and sportspersons rewarded. What achievements does the BJP have? It only burnt Haryana thrice in three years,” he says, pointing towards the Rampal Ashram violence, Jat quota violence and Dera violence.

He doesn’t forget to garner votes for father, who is contesting from neighbouring Sonipat. “He is a tall leader and deserves more, but please ensure my victory margin goes up,” he says.

His BJP rival Arvind Sharma, on the other hand, is banking on national security and says only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can provide security to the people.

Over a 100 people, including women, line up for the candidate as he arrives at Assan village in the Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi segment. Sharma is accompanied by Minister of State for Cooperatives Manish Grover.

“Pakistan, China and Taliban don’t want to see Modi as PM because they know he won’t allow them to go ahead with their designs,” he says.

“Terror groups from the neighbouring country know that till Modi is at the helm, he won’t let them return alive if they dare enter India,” asserts Sharma.

He denies allegations by Hooda supporters that the BJP is trying to polarise election on caste lines and says a party that believes in “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” can’t indulge in such politics.

He doesn’t forget to mention convener Rakesh Dhaka and Kiloi BJP mandal president Anil Hooda, both Jats, as he avoids being projected as a leader of a particular class or community.

On his poll prospects against Deepender Hooda in his family’s bastion, a confident Arvind Sharma says: “I am doing my job by reaching out to voters and highlighting BJP’s poll agenda. I am telling them how important it to bring Modi to power. Rest is up to the voters.”

Anil Hooda claims though Deepender has been winning the seat comfortably so far, the situation is different from 2014. “Deepender has so far contested all elections with his father at the helm as CM. Despite this, his margin of victory was reduced to a great extent in 2014. This time, he is facing the opposition of a large section of electorate, especially after the February 2016 violence that caused huge damage to people’s properties,” claims a BJP worker. 

‘What has BJP to offer’

New power projects were set up. Jobs were provided to the youth and sportspersons rewarded. What achievements does the BJP have? It only burnt Haryana thrice in three years. Deepender Singh Hooda, Cong

‘Pak, china wary of PM’ 

Pak, China and Taliban don’t want to see Modi as PM because they know he won’t allow them to go ahead with their designs… They know till Modi is at the helm, he won’t let them return alive if they dare enter India. Arvind Sharma, BJP

Top News

Arvind Kejriwal to be produced before Delhi court today as 6-day ED custody ends

On reaching court, Arvind Kejriwal says excise policy case a ‘political conspiracy’

The ED in court seeks 7-day further custody of Kejriwal

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

The bench refuses to comment on merits of the issue, saying ...

US makes another remark on Kejriwal's arrest, reacts to freezing of Congress bank accounts

US makes another remark on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, reacts to freezing of Congress bank accounts

We encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes, s...

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, wife Gurpreet Kaur welcome baby girl

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann blessed with baby girl

Bhagwant Mann tied the knot with Dr Gurpreet Kaur from Pehow...


Cities

View All