Poll vault: ‘Aya ram, gaya ram’ Tanwar

Chandigarh: Dalit politician Ashok Tanwar epitomises the classic Haryanvi political phenomenon of “Aya ram, gaya ram.” Known for his party-hopping ways, Tanwar holds the dubious distinction of switching four political parties — moving from Congress to TMC, then AAP, BJP, and now back to Congress —all within a span of five years. The big question remains: Can this “rolling stone” finally gather any moss?

‘Dil mile ya na mile…’

Chandigarh: During a recent public event, Rahul Gandhi made a symbolic gesture to display unity within the Haryana Congress. He orchestrated a handshake between former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his long-time rival, Kumari Selja. This act did not go unnoticed. A senior BJP leader responded with a poetic twist, quoting Urdu poet Nida Fazli: “Dushmani laakh sahi, khatam na kijiye rishta, dil mile ye na mile haath milate rahiye,” emphasising that even if hearts don’t meet, handshakes should continue.

Haryana Congress ‘Hooda-fied’

Rohtak: BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took a dig at the internal dynamics of the Haryana Congress. He remarked that the state Congress had become so “Hooda-fied” that even Rahul Gandhi’s authority seemed diminished. “Rahul has to seek permission to come to Haryana,” quipped Prasad, suggesting that Rahul’s attempts at forming a pre-poll alliance in Haryana were thwarted because Hooda opposed it.

— Contributed by Pradeep Sharma & Sunit Dhawan