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BJP top guns to descend on state to prop up campaign
Chautala reaches out to
JD(U)
Triple shocker for INLD in Gharaunda
Constituency watch: Badshahpur
Division over khaps’ plan to go political
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Constituency watch: Palwal
INLD candidate takes to FB to mock opponents
Gaushala Sangh to support non-Congress candidates
In Jind, parents want girls to get registered as voters post marriage
Now, ace athletes to woo voters for major parties
3,000 officers to man 691 K’shetra booths
Give benefit of doubt to nominee, says EC
With Congress facing anti-incumbency, Dera to play its cards more cautiously
Crorepatis trying their luck in Sonepat
My political plunge a stop-gap arrangement: Naina
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BJP top guns to descend on state to prop up campaign
Chandigarh, September 28 Modi is expected to address his first rally of the election season in the state immediately after his return from the US. He is expected to visit at least twice after October 5 and will address 10 rallies covering all parliamentary constituencies. Sources said the party will rope in big names, including Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Uma Bharti and Chief Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhra Raje Scindia, who will be assigned specific areas. Their schedule is in the process of being drawn up and the meeting for the same is slated in Rohtak tomorrow. Insiders admit the rebellion in the party after the distribution of tickets has taken much of the sheen off the party, which is in a do-or-die battle and was exuding immense confidence till a few weeks back. Maintaining that ticket-distribution left the cadre upset, leaders believe they may have been able to quell the brewing discontent that can only harm party prospects. “On any given day, there will be no dearth of top leaders to manage the election. We will bring in leaders from all over and re-build our campaign to the earlier level. Also, while there are over 500 workers from other states already managing the election. We intend to bring in an additional 1,000-strong workforce to manage the election at the booth level,” a senior leader said. The BJP has divided the districts among its state units to closely monitor poll preparedness. While leaders from Madhya Pradesh have been assigned a maximum of eight districts, the others have been divided among Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The saffron party, contesting the Assembly election on its own for the very first time, snapped its alliance with the Haryana Janhit Congress, and was hoping to ride to power on the Modi wave. However, the recent revolt over ticket distribution triggered a re-think of strategy. (With inputs from
Sushil Manav in Sirsa & Sunit Dhawan in Rohtak) The game plan
n
Narendra Modi is expected to address 10 rallies while party president Amit Shah will hold six rallies during his two-day visit that begins Monday
n The party will rope in big names, including Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Uma Bharti and Chief Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhra Raje Scindia as well
n The party has divided the districts among its state units to monitor poll preparedness; MP leaders assigned maximum of eight districts
n Over 500 workers from other states already managing the election; 1,000 more to be brought in
n The revolt over ticket distribution triggered a strategy re-think as the party hoped to ride to power on the Modi wave |
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Chautala reaches out to
JD(U)
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28 The change of heart on the part of the JD (U) follows a meeting of its delegation headed by its Haryana unit president Kamalveer Singh Yadav with former Chief Minister and INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala here last evening. Kamalveer confirmed the meeting was at the Chautala’s invitation. “Chautala was apologetic for the INLD not having a pre-poll alliance with the JD (U) for the assembly elections. He assured that the INLD would give important positions to its party leaders should it come to power,” Kamalveer said. During the discussions with JD(U) leaders, Chautala stressed on consolidation of “Janta Dal Parivar” to defeat the BJP. He also mentioned about Sharad Yadav being a prominent supporter of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal. The state JD (U) today apprised Sharad Yadav of the meeting with Chautala. Though the Haryana JD (U) was not averse to supporting the INLD in the elections, the national leadership would take the final call on the issue, Kamalveer said. All eyes on final decision n INLD supremo OP Chautala invited a JD (U) delegation headed by state unit chief Kamalveer Singh Yadav for a meeting on Saturday evening n Yadav said the INLD offered to give key positions to its leaders if it came to power, but said the final decision would be taken by the high command n The JD (U) has fielded candidates at over 40 seats
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Triple shocker for INLD in Gharaunda
Karnal, September 28 BJP national secretary Tarun Chug and BJP candidate from Gharaunda Harvinder Kalyan welcomed them and assured full respect in the party. After joining, Singla said they were impressed with the working style of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it was for the development of the segment that they had joined the BJP. They said the BJP would lead the state after the elections. Chug said, “There is Modi wave prevailing in the state, which would help the BJP form government on its own.” He said during the Congress rule, people had suffered a lot and they had decided to change the system. Kalyan said after the joining of these big shots, the BJP had received a major boost. — TNS
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Constituency watch: Badshahpur Sumedha Sharma Tribune News Service
Badshahpur, September 28 It’s a never-ending wait for residents for power, sanitation, good roads and better health services. Though part of 'new' Gurgaon, it is a poor cousin. The area which was hardly talked about in the General Election is one of the most important constituencies in this assembly elections as it has the highest number of voters in state. This segment played a pivotal role in determining the results for LS elections and will impact the overall victory or defeat of any party and also the chances of the local MLA making it to the council of ministers. The INLD has declared Rakesh Janghu (Daultabad) as its candidate and the BJP has decided on Rao Narbir Singh. The Congress has chosen Rao Dharampal's son Virendra Singh to carry forward the legacy of his father, who won by a huge margin in the last Assembly poll. Rao Narbir's grandfather and father were leading politicians and represented their constituencies many times. He also became the youngest cabinet minister in Haryana in 1987, in the Devi Lal government. Often criticised for party-hopping, Narbir stands to garner Ahir support and benefit from a pro-BJP wave in this area. He may face problems from former BJP loyalist Mukesh Sharma, who is contesting as an Independent after being denied the ticket. Mukesh is one of the most aggressive campaigners in this constituency, but being a Brahmin in this Ahir and Jat dominated seat could work against him. On the other hand, Rakesh, a Jat representing the INLD is a strong contender and enjoys enjoys mass support among. He will be a tough competitor to Congress's Virendra Singh, who can bank on the Ahir vote bank but will have to struggle against his father's decreased popularity. The people here seem to be in a mood to give the BJP a chance.
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Division over khaps’ plan to go political
Jind, September 28 Many khap leaders had announced to extend open support to a political party of their choice in the forthcoming Haryana Assembly elections at the September 13 Narwana meeting, but it boomeranged as many khap leaders active in politics and supporting various parties refused to toe the SKJP line. There are more than 100 khaps in Haryana that command immense influence in the Bhiwani, Jind, Sonepat,Rohtak, Panipat, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon, Jhajjar,Karnal, Kaithal, Faridabad and Palwal areas of the state. “We have cancelled the meeting as there is a difference of opinion over whether we should announce open support to a political party or not. We would organise a meeting within a few days after getting the views of all,” said SJKP Haryana spokesman Sube Singh Sumain, who presided over the September 13 meeting. Sumain supports open participation in politics by khaps. Since many khap presidents have joined different political parties, they do not want to support a party selected by all khaps . Kandela khap president Tek Ram Kandela , Santosh Dahiya, president of the Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat , Satrol khap president Sudesh Chaudhary , Aithgama khap leader Shamsher Kharkara , Malik khap chief Baljit Singh and many others have recently joined various political parties.
Disagreement within khaps * Many khap leaders had announced to extend support to a political party of their choice at the September 13 Narwana meeting * The move boomeranged as many khap leaders active in politics and supporting various parties refused to toe the Sarv Jatt Khap Panchayat line
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State’s newest district bereft of amenities
Bijendra Ahlawat Tribune News Service
Palwal, September 27 This segment was a part of the Faridabad and was carved out as the latest district in 2008. The people have been waiting for the past six years for new projects or any announcement befitting the status of a new district but to no avail. Though the government took credit for the new district, yet Karan Dalal, a towering leader of the party lost the elections in 2009 when he was defeated by the INLD's Subhash Chaudhary by a margin of over 6000 votes. He had created a record by getting elected for four consecutive times. Dalal was first elected as MLA in 1991 and remained a legislator till 2009. Dalal and Chaudhary will again lock horns again this time. In 2009 Chaudhary had polled 51,712 votes, Dalal bagged 45,040 votes and Dharam Chand of BSP came third with 8,161 votes. Anang Pal Baisla of BJP was at fourth position with just 3,376 votes. Development on paper only The local authorities and the state government have been claiming unprecedented development during the past five years, but the opposition terms it as an “eye-wash.” “The poor condition of the roads, especially in the rural areas, lack of drinking and irrigation water, unemployment are prominent issues and are will be key issues this time round too,” claimed Mohan Singh of Johar Khera village. He said while civic amenities were a cause of concern, the government has failed to provide any major educational or industrial institution to the district so far. What is the use of having the status of a district but sans the facilities befitting it, he questioned. Bhagat Singh of Kondal village said while the crime graph was rising, poor health facilities and lack of public transport in both urban and rural areas were important issues. The loot by the land mafia and spiralling property rates had only resulted in misery for the common man. According to records, only 26 of the total 163 announcements of development made by the CM since 2006 had been completed so far. While 34 projects were underway, 52 schemes were still pending which describe the state of affairs. Funds for 26 projects were released just a few days before the code of conduct came into force.
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INLD candidate takes to FB to mock opponents
Karnal, September 28
The parties are using different sources of social media to highlight their issues. In this series, INLD candidate Manoj Wadhwa is using WhatsApp and Facebook, by posting several caricatures to highlight the issue of outsider candidates and discrimination with Karnal youth in terms of giving jobs and the overall development of the district. With one of his caricature, Wadhwa makes a mockery of the BJP candidate for being an outsider and comparing him with a Karnal MP, who hails from Delhi and visits Karnal rarely. Taking a jibe at the BJP candidate, Manohar Lal Khattar, through his caricature, who took a house on rent in Prem Nagar, before the announcement of his ticket, Manoj said this house would get vacant on October 15 and no one would be there to listen to the problems of the people. This post has been appreciated by his followers. He also raised questions regarding sitting MP Ashwini Chopra, and said, “He is missing from his constituency.” In another caricature Manoj Wadhwa also raised the question on the state government for discrimination with Karnal in jobs and development. He has highlighted the plight of Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College, the work for which is going on at snail’s pace, incomplete work of flyovers and several other issues. Though, Manohar Lal Khattar dismissed the charge of being an outsider and has claimed on several occasions that he is a resident of Haryana, who is here to work for the people of Karnal and the state.
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Gaushala Sangh to support non-Congress candidates
Panipat, September 28 State GSS president Acharya Jogendera and its vice-president Azad Singh Arya said: “Forget checks on smuggling of cows from Haryana to UP, representatives of the GSS have been attacked by the police and goons during Congress rule.” GSS representatives said: “Several goons had attacked the GSS office at Dayanand Matth in Hooda’s home district of Rohtak on December 24, 2013. Despite the registration of an FIR, no accused has so far been arrested. Further, Azad Singh Arya and other gausewaks were beaten up mercilessly by the Panipat police on September 23, as they were staging a dharna for the release of nine GSS activists arrested a day before on the charge of dacoity.” Acharya Jogendera and Arya demanded a judicial probe into the arrest of nine GSS activists on September 22 and the unprovoked lathi charge on peaceful demonstrators in Panipat on September 23.
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In Jind, parents want girls to get registered as voters post marriage
Jind, September 28 Parents across the state still wait for their daughters to get married and move to their in-laws house, before they are registered as voters. Thus, women are deprived of their fundamental right to exercise their franchise. “It’s a common practice in Haryana to not get girls registered as voters before marriage, as the family wants their daughters to get registered at their husband’s house. There is nothing wrong in it,” said Suman, an elderly woman from Ahirka village. Another woman Krishna, working in the fields near Kandela village, said things were changing now as many families had started getting their unmarried daughters registered as voters, but it would take some time before all families started following the same practice. As per details, there are 6,41,322 females in Jind district, but the district has only 3,89,756 female voters; while there are 4,71,510 male voters, out of the total electorate of 8,61,266. With the lowest sex ratio of 813 females against the state figure of 843, Julana has the lowest number of female voters at 71,826 against the male figure of 88,352. With a sex ratio of 822 females against every 1,000 males, Safidon stands second in the district with 73,671 female voters against 89,675 male voters. Narwana (reserve) constituency in the district has the highest figure 85,063 female voters against 1,02,505 male voters. “We have formed many special teams to spread awareness for registration of voters. Voters, both male and female, just need to visit our offices to get registered,” said Jind’s district electoral officer Ashok Kumar Meena. State icon, actor Meghna Malik, has urged girls to vote wisely in the Assembly elections. Addressing the women, Malik said women should understand the importance of their vote, only then can they play an important role in the formation of a model society. “Women should choose better candidates and not cast their vote based on hearsay,” Malik said. Out of the five assembly constituencies in the district including Safidon, Julana, Jind City, Narwana, Uchana Kalan, not a single woman has won an election ever. But this time women voters hope that a woman may win from this district as three women including Dr Vandana Sharma from Safidon, Santosh Danoda from Narwana and Prem Lata Singh from Uchana Kalan are fighting the election on BJP tickets. |
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Now, ace athletes to woo voters for major parties
Gurgaon, September 28 The Congress, not to be left behind, has uploaded videos of Yogeshwar Dutt and Sushil Kumar. In the clips, the athletes are giving credit to chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the generous awards to sports achievers in Haryana. They are also praising his MP Deepender Singh Hooda. While BJP talks of using these icons highlight their enthusiasm and youthful governance, Congress says it’s just one of the few works done by state government “We have given maximum encouragement to sportsmen by giving Rs. 1 crore, Rs 50 lakh, and Rs. 25 lakh, respectively, to the gold, silver, and bronze medal winners from Commonwealth Games at Glasgow. The sportsmen acknowledge our efforts and are supporting us,” said a senior Congress leader. Meanwhile, the INLD is believed to be in touch with several sports and local youth icons but a formal declaration is awaited. In addition to cyber space, the parties are all set to reign on star power to win the vote banks. While the BJP plans to call PM Modi for rallies in state other attractions include Bollywood actors Hema Malini and Dharmendra and cricketer Yuvraj Singh. The Congress has declared its list of 40 campaigners which include Congress President Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Himachal Pardesh CM Virbhadra Singh and his Uttarakhand counterpart Harish Rawat, former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh and CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The list also includes Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Gulam Nabi Azad, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid, Anand Sharma, Jyotiraditya Scinidia, Jitender Singh, Sachin Pilot and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The party has also plans to invite JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav, his wife is from Haryana, and RLD chief Ajit Singh, a strong Jat leader from Western Uttar Pradesh. |
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3,000 officers to man 691 K’shetra booths
Kurukshetra, September 28 As many as 679 regular and 12 auxiliary polling stations will be set up in these four constituencies, said Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Nikhil Gajraj. “As many as 67 of the 691 polling stations have been identified as hypersensitive while 84 have been marked sensitive. One model polling station will be set up in each constituency,” he said. As on September 27, there were 6,45,472 voters in the district. These include 3,02,943 women (accounting for 47 per cent of the electors) and 2,365 service electors. The Thanesar constituency has 1,70,438 voters and 172 polling booths. As many as 185 polling booths will be set up for Ladwa’s 1,65,885 voters, 159 booths for 1,48,067 voters in Shahabad and 174 booths will be set up for 1,61,081 voters in Pehowa constituency. Of the 174 polling stations of Pehowa, 33 have been marked hypersensitive and 35 sensitive. Shahabad has 18 hypersensitive and 15 sensitive booths, Ladwa 12 hypersensitive and 11 sensitive booths while Thanesar has four hypersensitive and 23 sensitive polling stations. Gajraj said 12 flying squads, 12 static surveillance teams, four video surveillance teams, four video viewing teams and four expenditure monitoring teams have been formed to keep a close vigil and maintain the model code of conduct.
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Give benefit of doubt to nominee, says EC
Chandigarh, September 28 The nomination papers of any candidate should be properly examined before cancellation, and, if any doubt remains, the benefit of the doubt could be given to the candidate. Shrikant Walgad, Chief Electoral officer, Haryana, also briefed election officers on the steps to be taken to redress the doubts of candidates regarding the nominations and symbols.
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With Congress facing anti-incumbency, Dera to play its cards more cautiously
Sirsa, September 28 The controversial Dera Sacha Sauda enjoys a considerable following in several districts of Haryana. The dera has been impacting polling in the area since mid-nineties after the present dera chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh took over its reins. The dera invited the Akalis’ wrath in 2007 when its followers took a collective decision to cast votes in favour of the Congress, but the party was defeated. It is due to the dera’s influence that political leaders have been bee lining before Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to seek his blessings. Those who follow the dera’s moves closely reveal that the October 15 assembly poll is all the more important for the organisation than ever before because the Congressthat benefited from its decisions in the past 10 years seems to be in the doldrums after the parliamentary poll results. The state government too has been seen bending backwards to help out the dera. With political conditions changed this time, the dera is playing its cards more wisely this time and political observers believe it will take a decision only after judging which way the wind is blowing. Though the dera management denies any involvement in the elections, its political affairs wing and its 45-member committee has already begun the process of gauging the mood of followers. Pawan Insan, a spokesperson of the Dera said that “Guruji” issued general parameters for the selection of candidates. These parameters include that the candidate should be away from intoxicants, he or she should shun social evils like female foeticide, dowry system and help make society free from these ills and should not indulge in corrupt activities. However, it is an open secret in political circles, the dera’s political affairs wing issues a “diktat” to its followers on the casting of votes a night before polling. Dera Sangar Sadha, a religious place for the Kamboj community living in the region, has also been impacting elections in Haryana. Members of the Kamboj community got annoyed with the INLD over a land issue with the party’s top leadership in 2002. The community voted collectively against the INLD in the 2004 parliamentary poll and 2005 assembly poll. However, the Chautalas mended fences with Baba Brahm Dass, the head of Dera Sangar Sadh, in 2009 and they not only redressed the land-related grouse of the community but also offered its ticket from Rania to Krishan Kamboj, a member of the community . Kamboj won this seat though the community remained divided between the Congress and the INLD in 2009. This time too, the INLD has given the ticket to Ram Chander Kamboj at Rania and Nishan Singh at Tohana. |
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Crorepatis trying their luck in Sonepat
SONEPAT, SEPTEMBER 28 According to the affidavits filed by the candidates of the main political parties in the Gannaur assembly constituency, Congress candidate and sitting MLA Kuldeep Sharma owns property worth Rs 3.40 crore, INLD’s Nirmal Chaudhary owns only movable property worth Rs 33.53 lakh while BLP’ nominee Jitender Malik and Vikram Rathi of the HJC own properties worth Rs 40 lakh and Rs 3.23 crore, respectively. In the Rai constituency, BJP’s Krishna Gahlaut owns property worth Rs 14.38 crore, sitting MLA Jai Tirath of Congress worth Rs 6.40 crore, INLD’ Inder Jit worth Rs 1.16 crore, HJC’s Ranjit Kaushik worth Rs 5.30 crore and BSP’s Satpal Chauhan worth Rs 2.79 crore. In the Kharkhoda (Reserve) constituency, BJP’s Kuldeep Kakran owns movable and immovable properties worth Rs 1.21 crore, sitting MLA and Congress candidate Jaiveer Singh worth Rs 26.53 lakh and INLD’s Anita Khanda worth Rs 5.82 lakh. In the Baroda constituency, sitting MLA and Congress candidate Sri Krishan Hooda owns property worth Rs 12.07 crore, INLD’s Kapoor Singh Narwal worth Rs 12 crore, and BJP’s Baljit Singh Malik worth Rs 5.84 crore Well-to-do According to the affidavits filed by the candidates in the Gannaur assembly constituency, Congress candidate and sitting MLA Kuldeep Sharma owns property worth Rs 3.40 crore, INLD’s Nirmal Chaudhary owns only movable property worth Rs 33.53 lakh while BLP’ nominee Jitender Malik and Vikram Rathi of the HJC own properties worth Rs 40 lakh and Rs 3.23 crore, respectively |
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My political plunge a stop-gap arrangement: Naina
Teja Khera (Dabwali), Sept 28
She said though her family had been in power, she had never interfered in politics. Naina, who considers Mother Teresa as her role model, said her entry in the electoral politics was due to circumstances, as her husband, who won the Dabwali seat in 2009, was unable to contest the elections due to imprisonment.
She, however, added that she was clear in her mind that she would vacate her seat for her husband Ajay when he comes out of jail. She said he was the right person for politics and she was more comfortable in looking after the needs of her husband and two sons. Asked what role she planned to play in Haryana Vidhan Sabha if elected, Naina said she would do whatever could be done for the empowerment of women.
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Chopper-hopping Kanda earns less than a chauffer
Sirsa, September 28 The income tax return filed by Kanda for 2013-14 shows his annual income as Rs 42910, a paltry Rs 3,500 per month. His wife Saraswati Devi’s income for the corresponding period, however, is a little respectable, as she has filed a return of Rs 2,82,555. However, despite this low income tax return, Kanda owns movable assets that include cash, deposits, investments and jewellery worth Rs 70.52 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 14.93 crore. Kanda’s wife Saraswati Devi has movable assets worth Rs 10.85 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 18.45 crore. When he contested his first Assembly election from Sirsa as an Independent, Kanda had movable assets worth Rs 51.16 crore and immovable properties worth Rs 11.99 crore. Kanda owns an Endeavour car (Model 2010) valued at Rs 16.46 lakh and a Sonata car of 2002 Model valued at Rs 1.96 lakh. Kanda also owns a pistol and a rifle, while his wife Saraswati Devi, too, owns a pistol and a rifle. Kanda’s statement shows the Geetika suicide case pending against him in a Rohini court in Delhi. The case under sections 306, 506, 201, 120-B, 466, 467, 468, 469, 471, 34 of the IPC and section 66 A of the Information and Technology Act for abetment to suicide, threat to life, destroying material evidences, criminal conspiracy, forgery of documents, with common objective etc was registered against him under FIR 178/2012 in Bharat Nagar police station against him, as per Kanda’s own statement.
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With Haryana going to the polls on October 15, political observers are which way the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda will go this time.
Also important is the role played by Dera Sangar Sadha, also called Dera Baba Bhumman Shah, located at Sangar village, near Sirsa as this wields a considerable influence on members of the Kamboj community living in
Haryana.
BJP national party president Amit Shah will kickstart the campaign by addressing six rallies during his two-day visit that begins tomorrow. He will address programmes in Tohana, Loharu, Ambala, Narnaund, Nilokheri and Gurgaon.
Seeking to strike a chord with the rustic and sporty side of their voters, the parties are seeking help from Haryana’s sporting icons. Hoping to ride the Modi wave again, the BJP has uploaded the photographs of badminton ace Saina Nehwal, ace shooter Gagan Narang and world-beating wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt on its Facebook account beside those of PM Narendra Modi. 
In an exclusive interview with The Tribune, Naina, said she felt more comfortable in her role as a housewife and a mother.
She said people of Dabwali, who loved her husband immensely, wanted her to contest in place of him. She, however, believes that after her entry into politics, more women from the family would be able to think about joining it.