Panipat, May 20
Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, here today announced a five-phased agitational programme to oust the Om Prakash Chautala government.

He made this announcement at a “lalkar rally” at the HUDA grounds. The tone and tenor of the rally was such that it indicated that the winds of change in Haryana politics would start henceforth from here. Mr Hooda declared that his party would neither allow Mr Chautala to “sleep nor sleep itself” till the present government was thrown out of the power.

Mr Hooda announced that the HPCC would start a “jan andolan” from July 15. In the first phase, chaupal meetings would be organised by all Congress men from June 15 to July 15. Later on, HPCC members would gherao all corrupt ministers, MLAs and officials. On October 2, a token hunger strike would be observed by Congress men all over Haryana.

In December, a state-level bandh would be organised to remove this government. In the fifth and final phase, the Congress would start “jail bharo andolan”.

Mr Hooda invited all Congress men to join this agitation. He said he was prepared to cooperate with every Congress leader to oust this corrupt government. He maintained that there was no disunity amongst the Congress rank and file and urged them to support Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s leadership in order to remove the anti-people government at the Centre.

The HPCC Chief declared that his party would fight to save the interests of the farmers, traders and employees. He alleged that the present INLD government had exploited the farmers. The farmers had resorted to distress sale of wheat at lower rates. Mr Hooda alleged that the Chautala government was engaged in instituting false cases against Congress leaders because of political vendetta. In this respect, he demanded that Mr Anand Singh Dangi, a former Congress Minister, should be immediately released. The government should also put to an end the registration of false cases against former ministers like Tejinder Pal Maan.

Mr Hooda while terming the Vajpayee government as “corrupt” accused it of making India weak in the eyes of the foreign countries. He alleged that this government posed a serious challenge to the freedom of the country.

There was mismanagement as the surging crowds could not be controlled because of hot and humid weather. Mr Hooda and other senior leaders had to repeatedly request the people to sit quietly and listen to the senior leaders from Delhi. But it was obvious from the mood of the people that they wanted to listen to Mr Hooda only. The rally was attended by rural people. As many as 13 Congress MLAs along with other former ministers, MLAs and organisational heads were present on the dais. Mr Arjun Singh, a senior Congress leader and former Union Minister had sent his message of cooperation to the rally organisers.

Three resolutions were adopted by the people by raising hands. Through first resolution, the rally decided to root out corruption from the society whether it be amongst Congress men or elsewhere. By the second resolution, the rally declared its total support for the policies of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda. In the third resolution, the people resolved to support Mr Hooda in his struggle against the government and ultimately catapult him to the chair of the Chief Minister.

The three resolutions were moved by Mr Raghubeer Singh Kadiyan, MLA from Beri.

Addressing the rally, Mr Natwar Singh, former Foreign Minister, alleged that the NDA government had failed to provide a stable government at the Centre. All parties have different programmes and different agenda to pursue in the garb of power. He further alleged that the BJP’s claim that it was not corrupt had proved to be hollow. He was of the view that the Congress alone could provide a stable government at the Centre. In fact the foreign policy of the present government had lowered the prestige of the country in the eyes of the world, he added.

Ms Shelja, General Secretary of the AICC, criticised the Chautala government for its anti-people policies. He warned that the Congress would start a people’s movement against the government if this mis-rule was not ended. She asked the people to have full faith in the policies of Mrs Sonia Gandhi. She felt that the victory in the four Assembly elections of the Congress had revitalised the party.

Mrs Mohsina Kidwai, General Secretary of the AICC and in charge of the Haryana affairs, stated that the pro-farmers policies of Rajiv Gandhi had brought in new computer technology for the benefit of the farmers. She accused the BJP government at the Centre of working without any policy, programme and principles.

Mr Mukul Wasnik, General Secretary of the AICC said the Congress would no longer tolerate the Chautala government. He accused the state government of nepotism, favouritism based on caste considerations and spreading family corruption. He further alleged that law and order in Haryana was deteriorating. He said Mr Chautala was not friendly towards the farmers. While the prices of fertilizers, seeds and pesticides had increased, there was no relief to the farmers. He demanded that the farmers should be issued credit cards and crop insurance should be enforced. He also wanted that minor irrigation should be strengthened for the benefit of the farmers.

Others who addressed the rally included Mr Jatinder Malik, Mr Jai Prakash, Mr Dhan Singh, Mr Ajay Singh Yadav, Mr Inderjit Singh, Mr Shaadi Lal Batra, and Mrs Anita Yadav (all MLAs).