Get off copter to know people’s pain: Vij’s fresh swipe at Saini

Senior Haryana Minister Anil Vij today left the BJP-led government red-faced yet again by launching an attack on Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, saying he had been travelling in his “udan khatola” (helicopter) ever since he assumed office.

“Our CM has been on a helicopter since the day he became the CM. He will come to know about people’s pain only after he gets out of the helicopter. This is not just my voice, but that of all MLAs, MPs and ministers as well,” the seven-time BJP MLA alleged. Vij’s fresh attack comes close on the heels of his threat to go on a fast-unto-death, on the lines of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, over alleged non-compliance of his orders by government officials.

The state government today got into damage control mode and tried to mollify the senior minister by shifting Ambala DC Parth Gupta to Yamunanagar, posting Ajay Singh Tomer in his place.

Vij again accused a leader of trying to ensure his defeat and even orchestrating an attack on him. “Within a week of winning my seventh election, I publicly raised the issue of those who played a role in trying to defeat me —whether they were officials, employees or political figures. It has been more than 100 days now, but no action has been taken. It doesn’t matter to me anymore,” Vij asserted. Vij had earlier claimed that the orders given by him at a district grievances committee meeting had not been implemented. “I will not attend the meeting of the committee because the orders issued at the meeting are not followed,” Vij had said.

Vij’s outbursts have caused embarrassment to the saffron party at a time when the Saini government is celebrating its 100 days in office and the BJP is locked in a tough contest with AAP in the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections. A senior BJP functionary while admitting that Vij’s statements had put the BJP government and the party in a “bad light” said it was party’s internal matter.