Miffed, Vij discontinues Janta Darbar, threatens stir

Feeling ignored in his own government and unhappy with the functioning of officials, Haryana Cabinet minister Anil Vij today said that he had discontinued his weekly Janta Darbar for the residents of Ambala Cantonment, and warned to start an indefinite fast, like farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, to get public work done.

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A seven-time MLA and a senior BJP leader, Anil Vij has expressed his frustration regarding the non-compliance of his orders. “The officials don’t follow the orders and don’t work as per our instructions. I have stopped holding the weekly Janta Darbar. I have not taken anything from the rest of Haryana, but the people of Ambala Cantonment have elected me seven times, and to get their work done, I will start an agitation, if needed, and sit on fast unto death, like Dallewal,” he said.

The Transport, Energy and Labour Minister said he might also stop attending the District Public Relations and Grievances Redressal Committee meetings of his assigned districts (Sirsa and Kaithal).

During his term as the state Home Minister, Vij used to hold Janta Darbars for the residents of the entire state, and thousands of people would reach Ambala Cantonment to raise their grievances with the minister. But in the new government, Vij had restricted his darbars for the residents of Ambala Cantonment Assembly constituency only. People from other Assembly constituencies were asked to raise their complaints with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and officials during Samadhan Shivirs.

Sources said the minister was feeling snubbed in his own party and was unhappy as his recommendations related to action against officials, and projects were not being accepted, affecting projects. The firebrand leader may also take up the matter with the central leadership in the coming days.

Speaking to 'The Tribune', Vij said, “There are many issues following which I have decided to discontinue the Janta Darbar and may even stop attending the grievances committee meetings. The officials don’t comply with the instructions given during the meetings. The development projects are also being affected.”

However, this is not the first time when the minister has expressed displeasure against his own government and officials. After the Assembly election last year, Vij had accused a section of party workers and leaders, and government officials of conspiring against him in the election.

Known for his surprise visits and taking on-the-spot action against officials, Vij was one of the most powerful Cabinet ministers in the Khattar government, but his troubled relations with the former CM often made headlines. After Saini became CM, Vij had marked his resentment with the changes in the government.