Chandigarh, November 9
The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Saturday released a video clipping of state Health Minister Rao Narender allegedly seeking illegal gratification for facilitating the change of land use of a 30-acre colony in Palwal.

The move comes two months after the Haryana’s main Opposition party jolted the Congress government by releasing video clips of seven Congressmen, including five MLAs, in the “cash-for-change of land use scam”.

Released on the eve of the Congress’ much-hyped “Haryana Shakti rally”, the clip shows the minister striking a deal with a agent and the “mode of payment” after the job is done. The agent in the clip is shown saying that the party is ready to pay Rs 1 crore per acre and the “deal” could be clinched anywhere between Rs 30 and 50 crore.

The minister, on his part, termed the allegations against him as baseless.

He claimed the clip was doctored and released by the INLD to "settle" political scores. In a statement released by a state government spokesperson, Rao claimed that the INLD had tried to woo him to form the government after the 2009 Assembly elections. "However, I had faith in the Congress," claimed the HJC-turned-Congress MLA, who was subsequently given a ministerial berth in the cabinet.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, INLD leader and MLA Abhay Singh Chautala claimed the clip was handed or to him by a “Congressman”. “They keep feeding us with clippings of what their leaders are doing and we release them. There can’t be bigger proof of the rampant corruption in the state government. This particular clipping was shot in May at a panchayat bhawan in Narnaul. There are more such clips and we will release them gradually,” he said.

The MLA said the party was not hopeful of any action in the matter since the government had referred the inquiry of the “scam” against seven Congressmen to the Lokayukta.

Terming the JBT conviction of INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala as a conspiracy of the Congress, Abhay said the party’s November 1 rally had proved that the INLD was set to come to power in Haryana.

Seeking a reply from Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, he said the INLD wants to know why the government has failed to check the rising atrocities against women, especially Dalits. 

Abhay asked the Chief Minister to explain why the Yamunanagar thermal plant had been set up with “faulty old Chinese machinery” and why no jobs had been created for the unemployed youth. 

"We also want to know if the CM will get a fair inquiry conducted into the dubious land deals. We want to know why the old-age pension was not increased by Rs 50 every year as announced," said Abhay. 

"At the Gohana rally, the Congress will announce all that we have already promised to give if elected to power in the coming elections. We have promised a hike in pension and benefits to employees. They (Congress leaders) will make similar announcements," he claimed. 

What it shows

* The CD, released by Abhay Chautala, shows Health Minister Rao Narender (pic) allegedly seeking illegal gratification for facilitating the change of land use of a 30-acre colony in Palwal

* The minister is shown striking a deal with a agent and the “mode of payment” after the job is done

* Rao claimed the clip was doctored and released by the INLD to "settle" political scores