Gurgaon, September 30
Former Haryana Chief Minister, Speaker, founder of Vishal Haryana Party and veteran leader of the southern region of the state Rao Birender Singh died of heart attack at his residence here today.

He was 88 and is survived by three sons - Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjeet Singh, former Jatusana MLA Yadvender Singh and INLD leader Ajit Singh.

Union Minister Kumari Selja, local MLA Dharambir Gauba, Congress (urban) district president Madan Lal Grover, Zila Parishad chairman Rao Abhay Singh and Improvement Trust chairman Rao Shiv Narain, besides Assembly poll nominees and local leaders of various parties and many other prominent persons paid tributes to the departed soul and condoled the bereaved family.

The body of the late leader was placed at his old DLF residence in Gurgaon, where a large number of people poured in to pay homage. It was later taken to Rewari. The cremation will take place at the gaushala on the Narnaul road in Rewari at 11 am tomorrow.Born on February 20, 1921, in Nangal Pathani village of Rewari district, Rao Birender Singh remained the Chief Minister of Haryana from March 23 to November 21, 1967.

His government was dismissed by the then Union Government after he refused to accept the late Indira Gandhi as the arbitrator for dispute between Punjab and Haryana over river waters, Chandigarh and Hindi-speaking areas in Punjab.

A graduate from St Stephen’s College in Delhi, Rao Birender Singh also served the Army as a commissioned officer during the Second World War.

He was elected a member of the Legislative Council as an independent candidate in 1954. Then he joined the Partap Singh Kairon ministry from 1956 to 1961 and held several portfolios like the PWD, transport, public health, revenue and consolidation of land, irrigation and power.

In 1961, he resigned from the Punjab Cabinet over step-motherly treatment with south Haryana. He was then elected as MLA from the Patoudi constituency. He was elected the first Speaker of the Haryana assembly in March, 1967, when he founded the Vishal Haryana Party.

Rao Birender Singh was elected MP from Mahendergarh in 1971, 1984 and 1989. Despite political differences by late Indira Gandhi, he supported her in her difficult times and played a key role in the formation of the Congress government at the Centre in 1978. He also remained a minister in the late Rajiv Gandhi’s as well as Chandra Sekhar’s regimes.

In order to promote education in south Haryana, Rao Birender Singh established the Rao Birender Singh College of Education in Rewari in 1953 and Rao Tularam College in New Delhi in 1968.

A report from Rewari said a large number of people from various parts of Ahirwal lined up at the Thimayya Hall in Ahir College here today to pay tributes to the deceased leader. Local minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, MP Deepender Singh Hooda, parliamentary secretary Rao Dan Singh and several others paid floral tributes.

Chandigarh, September 30
In the death of Rao Birender Singh, Haryana has lost one of the few statesmen it ever produced and Ahirwal its one of the tallest personalities.

For a long time, the politics of Ahirwal had been centered around Birender Singh, who was once considered as the voice of the region. Whichever party he joined before any election, was considered to be the likely winner in the next elections. His family residence, known as “Rampur House”, used to be the nerve centre of the Ahirwal politics. Birender Singh had joined the Imperial Police before Independence, which he quit to join politics. That speaks for his intelligence and calibre. That he toppled first Chief Minister of Haryana Bhagwat Dayal Sharma to head the first Syunkta Vidhayak Dal (SVD) government in the state in the times when there was no anti-defection law is history. But even during his short tenure, he made a mark on the administration.Birender Singh, who was the MLA from Pataudi, which was a general seat at that time and was the centre of the barley belt, had opened the export of barley from Haryana to the other states. Haryana barley was in great demand by the beer industry. His step benefited growers as well as traders when food shortage was the order of the day.

Later, when he became the Union Agriculture Minister in the Indira Gandhi Cabinet, he highly impressed senior bureaucrats with his notes on files. He was ranked among top 10 Union Ministers at that time.He had a fair share of his detractors, who accused him of arrogance with feudal tendencies. His critics in Ahirwal attacked him by saying that the Rao always considered himself above the common man. Rao could not interact with his “subjects” intellectually.

His admirers counter his critics by pointing out that it was Birender Singh who worked for spread of education in the backward region and was responsible for getting jobs to a large number of youths. He ran several charitable and welfare institutions.

However, his last “writ” was by and large remained unheeded. During the last elections, he had asked the Ahirs to vote for INLD candidate and party secretary-general from Bhiwani Ajay Singh Chautala. The appeal was largely ignored and the Ahirs voted for their own man, Rao Narinder Singh.

Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda have condoled his death and described him as a true statesman, seasoned politician and a gentleman to the core.

The state government has also declared a three-day state mourning in his honour.

Ambala, September 30
Garlands of marigold, boxes of sweets, slogans of “Bhupinder Singh Hooda zindabad” rant the air, people jostle with one another to shake hands with him, a frenzied crowd waits to catch his glimpse as anxious cops remain on their toes.

The Chief Minister, Congress’ star campaigner, couldn’t be asking for more.

Hooda travels in his “vijay rath” to campaign for Nirmal Singh and state Congress president Phool Chand Mulana today, his cavalcade winding through cobbled village roads.

At Dorana, emerging from his hi-tech rath in a lift to a thunderous applause from the crowd waving Congress flags and showering flower petals, he keeps his speech simple and short.

“Mullana has to tour the entire state since he is the president of the party. You have to fight his election and send him back with a record margin,” he tells the people.

“I can see farmers and I can see poor people in this crowd. I want to ask you if you remember any one decision taken by the INLD in your interest. I can list out a number of decisions like waiving of power bills...”

As the rath rolls on to another destination, the Chief Minister, pointing at the green paddy fields, tells this reporter. “We brought water to this area through the Dadupur Nalvi canal. There’s not a single village which has not got government grant; we have made roads; improved the life in villages. As I travel into the interiors, our work says it all.”

He hums the Congress jingle “Aisa pehli baar hua hai” played in his rath, responding to wide-eyed children waving at him and the cheering bystanders with a smile. The CM makes it a point to respond to each one, sometimes shaking hands with people through the rath window.

At Dukheri, to a boisterous crowd of suppoters, he appeals: “Don’t waste your energy on sloganeering. Keep your enthusiasm for October 13 and vote for the Congress. I want your vote and your blessings, and nothing else.”

He betrays no sign of fatigue as the sun goes down. Hooda says he owes it to his sporty self. “I play badminton for an hour every morning wherever I am. There is a no ‘must-carry’ list. I am never without my lucky charm, a rudraksh. It’s the only thing that remained with me when I nearly drowned in the Ganges. I never take it off.

Once in the field, time doesn’t matter and campaigning goes on late into the night at at times till 2 am,” he says.

As his rath moves through villages and cites, the Chief Minister has only one focus, the road ahead. No looking back, no resting on past laurels for this indefatigable leader.

Chandigarh, September 30
A loan waiver scheme for non-farmer loanees, setting up of a farmers’ commission, construction of 2 lakh cheap houses for the urban poor were among the promises the Congress party made to the Haryana electorate.

Releasing the party manifesto for the assembly elections, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and AICC in charge Prithviraj Chavan today claimed it to be a vision document with “very achievable” targets.

“This is our vision document which brings out the works done during the five year rule and gives details of the development plan for the next five years since we are sure to come back to power,” Hooda said.

Though he admitted that the manifesto was a continuation of works which had already begun, he was quick to point out that doubling the growth in agriculture to 4 per cent, giving 25 kg wheat and rice at Rs 3 per kg to BPL families on the central government policy, pulses and oils at subsidised rates were among many a new things listed by the Congress.

Giving details of the loan waiver scheme, the manifesto said for those who have taken loans up to Rs 10,000, the principal amount and interest would be waived and loan limit to artisans would be raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000.

The manifesto promises making Haryana power surplus by 2013, focusing on education, promoting science education, bringing the best names in technical education to Haryana, a separate high court for Haryana, a separate SGPC provided legal opinion favours the same, employment, development of Mewat and a new industrial policy based on public-private partnership to attract more investment among others.

“We didn’t want to sound far-fetched in our manifesto. These targets can be achieved in three years or so. We will make a Europe out of Haryana,” Chavan added.

In response to a question about being Chief Minister for the second term, Hooda said he was only a candidate and not a claimant. “The decision lies with the UPA chairperson and the Congress party,” he said.

Chandigarh, September 30
A section of Haryana Sikhs have appealed to the Jathedar of the Akal Takht to “act as a

judge of the Supreme Court in real sense” while deciding the case of president of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC) Jagdish Singh Jhinda and his supporters.

Jhinda and his supporters have been called to the Akal Takht tomorrow in view of the forcibly taking control of a Kurukshetra gurdwara on September 13 to press their demand for creation of a separate committee for managing Sikh gurdwaras of Haryana.

SGPC member from Haryana and one of the founders of HSGPC Didar Singh Nalvi said here today that the justice demanded that before passing a verdict on Jhinda and his supporters, the Jathedar must go into the root causes of the September 13 incident.

Therefore, he should also call SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal before him to ask them why the Haryana Sikhs were being denied their right to manage their own gurdwaras, particularly when they were given this right under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, to which the then Akali MPs were a signatory.

Nalvi said the Akalis were in power in Punjab today due to the 1966 Act.

Then why they were reluctant to implement its provision which gave the right to the Haryana Sikhs to have their own gurdwara committee.

He said if such a committee was formed, the Punjab Akalis and the SGPC would not be able to siphon off about Rs 100 crore from Haryana to Punjab.

Nalvi said the Jathedar must keep in his mind the basic principle that the denial of justice had always led to revolt.

Karnal, September 30
Praveen Kaur, alias Meena, prime accused in the attack on Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s convoy in Manak Majra village near Nilokheri on February 2, 2008, said today she feared threat to her life and sought the help of the media to avert the danger.

“I am virtually under house arrest for the past 20 days. My mother Amarjit Kaur threatens to kill me and says that she will put the blame on the dera chief,” she lamented.

Parveen, who was here to appear in the court, repeatedly appealed to save her when she came out of the court. Her mother did not allow her to say anything more and dragged her saying she has gone mad.

The court was to record the statements of three other accused, namely Rajender, Chander Bhan and Chandi Ram. However, only the statement of Rajinder was recorded and the next date of hearing was fixed for October 27.

Parveen, who is doing her graduation, was granted bail by Justice SS Sarna of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on April 24. She was released on May 11 last.A resident of Mansa, Parveen was arrested by the police on March 13, 2008, and her bail plea was rejected by the District and Sessions Judge on September 15, 2008. Then she had moved the High Court for bail.

Rohtak, September 30
The authorities of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) here have now demanded a written explanation from the teachers regarding their “absenteeism” from the duty during the strike period that lasted for about 10 days.

The salary of the teachers, which has been now released provisionally, will be calculated finally on the basis of their attendance and absence from the work during the strike.

The teachers had gone on strike seeking implementation of the revised pay structure.

The strike had adversely affected the teaching work on the campus for the above stated period. All teachers of the varsity have been asked to submit an “absentee statement” by October 5, or it will be presumed that they had been absent from their work or had been on strike during that period, says the notification issued by the university.

Jhajjar, September 30
An election meeting organised by the ruling Congress at Deeghal village, about 20 km from here, in support of Congress nominee and Speaker of the Haryana Assembly Dr Raghbir Singh Kadian saw a clash between two groups.

Two shots were allegedly fired into the air but nobody was wounded. Two persons reportedly received minor injuries in the scuffle. The police has registered a case against unidentified persons. No arrest has been made so far.

The incident took place at noon today. It is alleged that some persons raising slogans tried to disrupt the Congress meeting. This was resisted by the Congress workers which resulted in a clash with some persons pelting stones, said Jhajjar SSP Saurabh Singh.

Dr Kadian was, however, able to finish his address. This is first incident of its kind in the district though protests have been witnessed against the ruling party candidate before, remarked an activist.

Faridabad, September 30
Although there will be one winner, all political parties are sure of victory in the electoral battle.

The INLD, the BJP, the HJC and the BSP believe that a “raging anti-incumbency” wave will demolish the Congress in Haryana. They feel the price rise will bring about the Congress fall. The Congress, on the other hand, is more than sure that it is headed for a repeat performance. In the last elections, it had bagged 67 of the 90 assembly seats.

The Congress is banking on development works which, it claims, has benefited all sections as also the fact that the opposition stands divided.

The opposition parties allege that the Congress failed to meet its promises made to the electorate in the last elections. They say law and order has deteriorated and the home district (Rohtak) of the Chief Minister has remained the focus of all development activity. The INLD is sure it will spring a surprise. The BJP leaders claim the party is ahead in about 25-30 assembly segments. It feels president of the Haryana unit Krishan Pal Gurjaar is a young leader and has injected hope in the party on account of his hard work.

The BSP camp is confident that the party will increase its poll percentage. According to Haryana BSP general secretary Ram Singh Fauji, the party will form a government on its own. The HJC, stung by desertions in the runup to the elections, is confident of winning more than 50 seats.The party feels that it will be the sole beneficiary of the anti-incumbency sentiment.

Hisar, September 30
The INLD is like an unfaithful spouse whose undesirable (political) flirtations have forced family members and friends to desert it.

Its time-tested partner, the BJP, has divorced it, fed up with the INLD tendency to woo beaus outside the relationship. The same trait has led to an exodus of senior party leaders from the party. Former finance minister Sampat Singh, former MP Kailasho Saini, former minister ML Ranga and Sushil Indora have walked away.

Since the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the party’s popularity has been on the decline. That year, it failed to win a single Lok Sabha seat. The following year, it was voted out of power in a strong anti-incumbency wave.

After 2005, the INLD failed to score a win in any Vidhan Sabha byelection. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, it failed to bag a single seat.

In the 2004 parliamentary elections, the INLD had a vote share of 22.43 per cent. In the 2005 assembly elections it bagged 26.95 per cent of the votes polled. However, this fell to 15.6 per cent, marginally below that of the BSP, in the recent Lok Sabha poll.

Om Prakash Chautala continues to exercise iron-fisted control over the party. The leadership remains a family affair with extremely limited role for others, howsoever seasoned. That is why it has seen an exodus of senior party leaders.

Chautala failed to respect the aspirations of his allies and that was the main ground for the party’s divorce with the BJP. However, this does not mean that the party is as good as finished. It still has the highest number of dedicated cadres in Haryana. Besides, it retains the ability to fight it out, past reverses notwithstanding. The Devi Lal factor remains strong though in the recent past it has led to odious comparisons by its supporters between the father and the son.

In these difficult times, infighting within the ruling Congress has lent some strength to the INLD. As several greenhorns have been put up by the Congress, INLD candidates have had a better start to their campaign.

Nevertheless, this election is the INLD’s toughest political test in the post-Devi Lal era. It’s a do or die battle.