Chandigarh, May 26
Haryana today emerged as a major gainer with two of its MPs bagging ministerial berths in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. While Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh was inducted as Minister of State (Independent charge), Faridabad MP Krishan Pal Gurjar took oath as Minister of State.

Rao, a four-time MP and a prominent Ahir leader, had joined the BJP just before the parliamentary elections. The Gurgaon MP’s inclusion in the Cabinet can be seen as a reward for the battle he waged against Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda. He is credited with bringing the Defence University to Haryana during his stint as MoS (Defence) in the UPA-I government.

Claiming that Gurgaon’s “earnings” were not being pumped into constituency’s development, he alleged that all development works were being focused in Hooda’s pocket boroughs. Rao revolted against Hooda when the Congress was on strong footing in Haryana and at the Centre.

Belonging to the backward Gujjar community, Krishan Pal Gurjar, ex-state BJP chief, has been rewarded for being a staunch loyalist of the party. Gurjar who began his political journey as student leader, was elected as an MLA and became a minister in 1996. A three-time-MLA, Gurjar is a firebrand leader and a good orator. He has a clean image to his credit and is a non-controversial leader.