Hooda to intensify anti-govt campaign

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 20

The Haryana Government slapping a slew of cases against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda notwithstanding, he will intensify the Congress’ campaign against the dispensation.

This was confirmed following a series of meetings between senior Congress leaders and Hooda along with representatives of farmers and other sections of society in the last few days here.

Former minister Aftab Ahmad, who was part of the meetings, said here today the campaign’s focus would be on farmer-related issues, deteriorating law and order situation, and apathy towards welfare schemes. Hooda will visit Julana (Jind) on September 25, Hodal (Faridabad) on September 26 and Ambala on September 30. He will meet people from every section of society and address meetings.

He will take on the government for forcible charging of premium under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, erratic supply of power to farmers, and tardy lifting of foodgrain, among others.

A section in the Congress feels the government is trying to corner Hooda through cases. Hence, he should take the government head-on

The INLD, the principal Opposition in the state and bête noire of Hooda, is keeping an eye on Hooda whom it considers responsible for weaning away its support base — farmers.

Farmers broke ranks with INLD and supported the Hooda-led Congress in winning Assembly elections twice consecutively.

A Congress leader said, “Hooda is a threat both to the BJP and the INLD, as he has the potential to revive the party in Haryana. His popularity among farmers in Rajasthan and western parts of poll-bound Uttar Pradesh can help the Congress.”