Haryana Diary: IMT a major election issue in Ambala

Ambala: The issue of the industrial model township (IMT) continues to be a major poll promise at the Ambala City Assembly constituency. During the Hooda-led Congress government, former Union Minister Venod Sharma had got the project cleared for Ambala. However, following protests by the Opposition and infighting within the Congress, the project was shelved. Now, during his outreach programmes and camps, Sharma is criticising the Congress leaders for shelving the project.

Tenders being rushed to beat code date

Panipat: Though all political parties have geared up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, there is increased poll-related activity in government offices, too. Officials are busy preparing the estimated budgets for new development works as the Election Commission may announce the General Elections in the first or second week of March. The officers have even directed their subordinates to prepare the estimates for the projects at the earliest and invite tenders for them to ensure that projects are started before the implementation of the election code of conduct. Preparations have also started at government offices regarding election duties.

Deepender puts speculations to rest

Rohtak: Putting all speculations to rest, Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Hooda has made it clear that he would definitely contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Rohtak and no one should have any doubt about his candidature. “I’ll not only contest the elections, I’m also quite confident of winning them by getting people’s blessing this time,” he said. Notably, he lost the 2019 election to BJP’s Arvind Sharma by a margin of 7,500 votes.

Chautala criticises Congress-AAP alliance

Hisar: Taking a dig at the Congress-AAP alliance, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said it had become evident that the Congress needed crutches in Haryana. He further said since the seat has been given to the AAP, two Congress leaders — Randeep Surjewala and former Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal — would not be able to stake their claim for the ticket. Surjewala’s Kaithal Assembly segment is part of the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat and speculations were rife that he could be the Congress candidate this time, while Jindal is deemed a natural aspirant as he has won the seat in the past.

Farmers’ demand embarrasses BJP-JJP

Faridabad: The farmers’ long-standing demand regarding the provision of an access point to the upcoming Faridabad-Jewar Airport Greenfield Expressway near Mohna village in the district has landed some leaders of the ruling party in an embarrassing situation as no work has been started there despite several assurances. The matter had been brought to the notice of the Union Transport and Highways Minister. An MLA visited the sit-in spot to express his support for the farmers’ demand after they decided to ‘gherao’ his residence. With some senior leaders — including an MP, two sitting MLAs and two former MLAs — having met the Union Minister in the past to press the demand, the failure to start the work had resulted in severe discomfiture to these leaders and their supporters, said a political analyst.

Rs 1 shagun the talk of the town

Yamunanagar: The marriage of Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) Chairman Bhopal Singh Khadri’s daughter, which was recently solemnised in Khadri village, has become the talk of the town in Yamunanagar as the groom’s family took only Re 1 and two coconuts as the ‘shagun’ — the aim was to raise awareness about the ills of the dowry system. Taking this tradition forward, Khadri accepted only Rs 1,100 as the ‘bhat’ amount from the groom’s parents. He also donated Rs 7.50 lakh, collected as the ‘shagun’ (kanyadan) amount, to Gurjar Kanya Vidya Mandir, Devdhar. Notably, when his son got married a few years ago, his family accepted a token amount of Re 1 as the ‘shagun’.