Ellenabad byelection: Congress puts up united face as Pawan Beniwal files papers

Deepender Deswal

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Tribune News Service

Hisar, October 8

Putting up a united show, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda accompanied state Congress president Kumari Selja during the filing of nomination by candidate Pawan Beniwal for the Ellenabad byelection in Sirsa district today.

However, the party is staring at trouble as former MLA Bharat Singh Beniwal adopted a rebellious tone today. He stated that he would take a decision about his next move in a couple of days after consulting his supporters and expressed resentment over not being allotted the ticket.

Party sources said that Congress MLA from the adjoining Kalanwali segment, Sheeshpal Keherwala, went to his residence and Kumari Selja too called him up to join the party campaign for Pawan Beniwal. “He refused to attend the party meeting today and informed that he will take a decision after consulting his supporters,” a party leader added.

Bharat is the uncle of Pawan Beniwal but they are arch-rivals in politics. He had won from the erstwhile Darba Kalan Assembly segment in 2005, but lost the 2019 Assembly election from Ellenabad segment as Congress candidate. Later, talking to mediapersons, former CM Hooda maintained that the Congress would fight the byelection unitedly. “The Congress is one and we will win,” he claimed.

Hooda, however, took strong exception to the statement by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stating that it seemed that he had no belief in democratic values. “I urge people to give a befitting blow to this kind of politics in the byelection,” he said.

Hooda said that Abhay Chautala had resigned when the Congress brought the no-confidence motion against the BJP government on the farmers’ issue. “We will also bring a fresh no-confidence motion in next session. I want to ask Abhay whether he will again resign from the Assembly or support the no-confidence motion against the BJP government,” he stated.

Selja said that the INLD is no longer a force in Haryana politics. “The INLD is a spent force as the party has got divided and was reduced to just one seat in 2019 Assembly poll,” she said.

When asked about Bharat Beniwal’s resentment, she said that some leaders get upset on denial of ticket but they would campaign for the party soon. Haryana in-charge of Congress Vivek Bansal said that resentment is temporary and we would sort it out and hope that Bharat Beniwal too would join the campaign soon.

Rival in the clan?

The Congress is staring at trouble as former MLA Bharat Singh Beniwal adopted a rebellious tone on Friday. He stated that he would take a decision about his next move after consulting his supporters and resented over not being allotted ticket.

Campaigning timings

The Haryana Additional Chief Electoral Officer on Friday declared campaigning in the Ellenabad constituency will not be allowed from 7 pm to 10 am. She said the department had already apprised the parties about the election code of conduct.

Beniwal’s assets

Congress candidate Pawan Beniwal who is BA from PU, Chandigarh, has total assets including that of his wife of Rs13.19 cr. He has immovable assets worth Rs2.16 cr and movable assets worth Rs70 lakh. He owns a tractor, three firearms besides five horses.