Chandigarh, October 7
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Election Commission at a rally in Hisar to take note of Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government’s clearance to land deals between Robert Vadra and DLF, the government today submitted a detailed reply to the Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana, maintaining that nothing was amiss. This reply has been forwarded by the CEO to the Election Commission of India.

CEO Shrikant Walgad, said his office had sought a “a factual report” on the clearance given to the mutation between Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and DLF. Sources said that government had explained at length that no action had been initiated on the deal at the government level after the imposition of the model code of conduct as was being perceived.

“The reply states that the clearance was given in July, at least two months before the model code came into force. The last correspondence on the matter was received from the Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner on July 17-18. No further action has been taken and it has certainly not taken place near or after the model code came into force. We have given a detailed report,” an official said.

Sources in the Revenue Department explained that the power to approve mutation had been vested in assistant consolidation officers after which the Vadra-DLF mutation of the Shikhopur land was okayed in July this year. This had been cancelled by the then Director, Consolidation, Ashok Khemka, in October, 2012, on the ground that the Assistant Consolidation Officer had no power to approve the mutation.

“Beyond that, there has been no file movement. In fact, the Revenue Department is yet to convey to the Town and Country Planning Department that the mutation has been validated. Only after that communication is received can the TCP proceed on the application seeking transfer of licence to DLF,” an official claimed.

Sources claimed that as far as the TCP Department is concerned, the licence continues to be in the name of Vadra-managed M/s Skylight Hospitality. According to their records, in the absence of any communication validating the mutation, Khemka’s orders of its cancellation issued in October 2012 still stand and the transfer of licence continues to be pending. 

What’s in the reply

In the reply, the state has explained that no action had been initiated on the land deal at the government level after the imposition of the model code of conduct. 

The reply states that the clearance was given in July, at least two months before the model code came into force. The last correspondence on the matter was received from the Gurgaon DC on July 17 and 18. No further action has been taken and it has certainly not taken place near or after the model code came into force
govt official

The PM of the world’s largest democracy is behaving like a compulsive liar. It’s sad he has made the electoral battle so personal by raising matters earlier settled by the SC and concluded much before the poll process commenced  in Haryana Shakeel Ahmad, cong gen secy

New Delhi, October 7
In the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct attacks on the Congress First Family in poll-bound Haryana, the party went on the offensive today to counter allegations of wrongdoing in the land deal between party chief Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra and real estate giant DLF.

“I don’t feel good saying this, but the PM of the world’s largest democracy is behaving like a compulsive liar. We condemn his behaviour. It’s sad that he has made the electoral battle so personal by raising matters earlier settled by the Supreme Court and concluded much before the poll process commenced in Haryana,” Congress general secretary in charge of Haryana Shakeel Ahmad said.

The mutation of the land deal in question was approved as “valid” on July 16 this year while the Model Code of Conduct was implemented in the state on September 12. “The PM lied in his rally yesterday. He tried to mislead the people and the EC by asking the latter to investigate the deal as a case of poll code violation. Does the PM not know the deal was validated more than one-and-a-half-month ago? It’s not a violation of the code. The PM has lied to score political brownie points. The timing of the publication of the news also raises questions,” Ahmad said, urging Modi not to “undermine” the PM’s position for narrow electoral interests.

The Congress said it would have never raked up the issue had the PM not gone personal in his war against the incumbent Congress in Haryana. “The PM has gone personal on a matter the apex court settled long ago,” Shakeel Ahmad said, daring the BJP to file a written complaint to the EC in the matter. He said the BJP will never file a written complaint because they know it has no ground. “All they want is to create a false perception of wrongdoing,” said Shakeel.

The Congress dismissed as routine the EC’s note to the local authorities to send a report on the Vadra-DLF deal, saying any constitutional authority would be forced to sit up and take note if the PM raises a matter at a public meeting.

“We are clear the EC will find no violation in this matter,” Shakeel said.

Chandigarh, October 7
The Congress today slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raking up the issue of land deal involving Robert Vadra, accusing him of trying to draw “political gains” by “defaming” Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law before the assembly poll in Haryana.

“The name of Robert Vadra was taken (by Narendra Modi) just to take advantage during the assembly poll in Haryana by defaming him (Vadra) by way of raising land deal issues. Actually, they (BJP) had nothing against Vadra,” Congress spokesman and former union minister Rajiv Shukla told mediapersons here today.

Responding to queries on Modi’s statement in Hisar asking the Election Commission to take note of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda approving the land deal between Vadra and DLF, alleging that it was done hastily as the Congress faced “certain defeat” in the October 15 poll, Shukla claimed that the Haryana government had not given any undue advantage to Vadra.

Karnal/Kurukshetra, October 7
INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala played the ‘Tau’ card today as he took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the party did not need him to win the election as it had former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal’s face.

Modi had at a rally in Kurukshetra yesterday said, “Some people are spreading lies by showing my old photos with them and saying they support Modi. I don’t need support from Tihar Jail.” Hours later, Chautala used the same venue to rebuff Modi’s photograph remark. “Narendra Modi, the glow is still there of my face. We don’t need your face. May no one get a face like yours...”

Continuing the attack, he said, “We have Choudhary Devi Lal’s photograph. If needed, we can win anybody’s heart by just showing his photo,” he said.

On Modi ruling out a post-poll alliance with the INLD, the former CM said, “If they (BJP) win, only then can anyone support them, but the situation is reversed. People are eagerly awaiting an INLD government. ”

Thanking the PM for visiting the state in the Assembly elections rallies, the 79-year-old said, “Wherever he is canvassing in the state, the BJP is losing. It’s because of him and his ‘ool jalool’ (unfounded) speeches that my party is doing so well.”

He criticised Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for rampant corruption and scams in the state and called him “a person of club culture” who did not care about the people of the state. He took a dig at the Rs 10,000 crore “development scam” and said the amount was sanctioned for the development of villages, but was not allotted. “The people will teach the corrupt Hooda government a lesson,” he said at an election meeting at Kharkhoda.

He attacked parties for dividing people on the basis of caste. “I have visited 153 countries of the world, but have never seen such a situation. All castes are equal there, but here in Haryana, some selfish people are dividing people on caste.”

Criticising the state government, Chautala said, “There is no electricity and water for farmers. Quality seed is a distant dream and farmers are not getting minimum support price for their produce, which id driving them to suicide. People of the state are also fed-up with rampant corruption and inflation.”

Claiming innocence in the job recruitment case, the INLD supremo said he did not commit a crime, but gave jobs to teachers. At a rally in Yamunanagar, Chautala said, “I was sent behind bars by the corrupt Hooda-led government for offering jobs to 3,205 JBTs. I will offer jobs to 3.2 lakh youths if voted to power.”

In view of the downfall in Birender’s career, his wife created pressure on him to vacate his seat for her. This explains his decision... Like in last Assembly polls, people of Uchana will not vote for Birender’s family  Dushyant Chautala, hisar mp

Uchana Kalan, October 7
Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala today alleged that BJP leader Birender Singh gave in to the pressure mounted by his wife, Prem Lata Singh, to not contest the Assembly elections. She is the BJP nominee from Uchana Kalan and is pitted against, among others, INLD’s Dushyant.

“Prem Lata prevailed upon her husband to not contest the elections. She had dreamt of becoming an MLA long time ago,” he said during one of his meetings in the segment. The INLD nominee addressed a series of meetings in Khatkar, Baroda, Kherisamaniya, Mangalpur and other villages.

“In view of the downfall in Birender’s career, his wife created pressure on him to vacate his seat for her. This explains his decision to sidestep,” the MP said, adding that he must tell the public about the reason for not contesting.

“People of Uchana know Prem Lata closely. They know she used to misuse the political clout of her husband when he was a minister in the Congress government to benefit her relatives and friends financially,” Dushyant alleged. He claimed that the BJP candidate lacked vision for youth, farmers, women and educated class of the segment. “If one asks her about her plans for agriculture, development in the area and other issues, she will remain mum.”

“Like in last Assembly polls, people of Uchana will not vote for Birender’s family as they are aware that his family visits people only during elections. On the other hand, the Chautala family has nurtured Uchana as its home,” Dushyant added.

Faridabad, October 7
A race of sorts seems to have broken out among political parties and their leaders to keep various pressure groups in good humour. Such groups tend to take centrestage just a few months just before elections, to make the government or the political parties to take up their cause.

“Promises made by leaders and parties before the poll, especially in the manifesto, do reflect the effect of pressure by sections of the society or the groups that exist in various forms,” said Yogesh Sharma, a lawyer. He said promises of laptops, computers, scooties, increase in old age pension and other benefits were an attempt to meet pressure from vote bank groups. “The present government held a record number of cabinet meetings before issuance of the poll notification to clear decisions aimed at appeasing various sections,” he said.

Alleging that state governments tend to overspend public funds in the last phase of their tenure, social activist Krishan Lal Gera said pressure groups start exerting pressure on authorities by resorting to strike or protest. He said the announcement of regularisation and inviting applications for hundreds of posts in the government departments a couple of months back was a strategy to appease such groups, who threaten to vote against the ruling party. “One party has announced home delivery of official documents, including birth and death certificates, to woo people fed-up of red tape and corruption in public offices,” he said.

Claiming farmers, teachers, government employees, students, senior citizens, labourers, workers, housewives and unemployed youths form main pressure groups, retired official Devender Singh Surjewala said the “politics of pressure groups” plays an important role at all times. 

Dabwali, October 7
Her entry into electoral politics is not by choice but compulsion because her husband is debarred from contesting due to his conviction in the teachers’ recruitment case. But once in, Naina Singh Chautala, wife of sitting MLA from Dabwali Ajay Singh Chautala, who became the first woman member of Devi Lal clan to contest poll, is taking her task seriously.

Naina is facing KV Singh of the Congress, who is related to her as father-in-law, as he happens to be former CM Om Prakash Chautala’s cousin.

Knowing well that the task of routine campaign is being looked after by men members of the clan like son Digvijay Singh, brother-in-law Ravi Singh Chautala as well as a group of INLD workers from the constituency and Akali workers from Punjab, Naina Singh is targeting more on women.

Being the “bahu” of a prominent political family of Haryana that enjoys a lot of clout in the area, Naina has immense appeal among local womenfolk.

“During my campaigns, I am concentrating more on bringing those women out of the confines of four walls of their home, who rarely venture out and mix up with outsiders,” said Naina Singh when The Tribune caught up with her at Chormar village on the Sirsa–Dabwali road.

Accompanied by her nephew Siddharth Godara, her nieces Prachi Chaudhary and Divya Singh, district president of the women wing of the INLD Krishna Fogat and a group of women activists of the party, Naina Singh Chautala moves from village to village partaking tea or lunch hosted by supporters.

Talking to The Tribune on her SUV on the way to Bannwala village from Chormar, Naina said her biggest achievement during these 10 days (she filed her nomination on September 27) is that she has been able to convince several women to shun “ghoonghat” (veil). “The day I started my campaign, almost all married women in the Bagri area adjoining Rajasthan came to my programmes in ‘ghoonghat’. But with my persuasion, at least half of them have started shunning it,” she adds.

Naina does not forget to set her “duppatta” so cover her head the moment her SUV approaches a village or a place where some men have gathered to greet her.

Asked what she would say about her main rival, Naina says he (KV Singh) is related to her as father-in-law and hence she would not violate “maryada” of relations by saying anything against him personally.

KV Singh, too, is equally conscious of the relation he shares with his INLD opponent and does not say a word against her. 

Rewari, October 7
Rewari Deputy Commissioner (DC) RC Verma has ordered registration of an FIR against 65 employees of several government departments for missing the rehearsal for the Assembly elections. The DC is the District Election Officer (DEO).

The erring employees have been asked to explain the reason for their absence within a week, the DC said.

District authorities organised a rehearsal for the presiding, assistant presiding and polling officers of Rewari, Kosli and Bawal segments in this district on October 4.

All Returning Officers (ROs) of the three Assembly segments had imparted training to the officers about the smooth conduct of the polling process. But 45 presiding officers (POs) and 20 assistant presiding officers (APOs) skipped the rehearsal. “All POs and APOs were directed to be present for the training, but 65 the rehearsal, amounting to dereliction of duty. Hence, I ordered registration of an FIR against them,” Verma said.

Jhajjar, October 7
The Global Centre for Nuclear Energy, National Cancer Institute, extension campus of IIT-Delhi and Police University are some of the big projects that had attracted nation’s attention when these institutes were proposed to be set up in this district last year.

But “lethargic” attitude of the authorities concerned have raised a question mark over the fate of the projects. Foundation stones of all these projects are biting the dust. The-then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh laid the foundation of the nuclear centre and cancer institute on January 3, 2014, while the foundation stone of IIT-Delhi was laid by the-then Union Human Resources Development Minister, MM Pallam Raju, on December 21, 2013.

“Construction on the nuclear centre is yet to start as we have not got the environment clearance certificate from the state government, for which we applied last year,” an official associated with the project said.

Vikas Tehlan, husband of Jasaur Kheri village sarpanch Rubi, and other villagers told The Tribune that villagers wished that the centre should be established soon so that they could get jobs. The story is the same for National Cancer Institute and extension campus of IIT-Delhi, to be set up in Badsha village. “The panchayat has given possession of common land to the government for the projects, but not a single brick has been laid,” said Nafe Singh of Badhsa village.

Ranbir Singh, village sarpanch, said: “The authorities have assured us of starting construction of the two institutes after the election.”

Besides, the construction of India’s first Police University at Matanhel village is hanging fire. Higher police officials have inspected the proposed site several times, but this has not ensured anything concrete on the ground.

A higher officer, requesting anonymity, said: “Some formalities are pending and it takes time to complete them. Once pending issues are taken care of, the construction of all projects will start.” 

Karnal, October 7
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s former political adviser Prof Virender Singh campaigned for Congress candidate Surinder Narwal here today. He claimed that the Congress would form the government for the third time consecutively.

“The government has given best facilities to people in the past 10 years. It has done lots of works for all strata of society,” he said while addressing a gathering at Ram Nagar.

Singh claimed that the Congress was getting good support from all parts of the state. “People are associating with the party as they are impressed by its work.”

“The time has come to support the Congress and make it win,” he said. — TNS

Tough times

The Congress is also facing a tough task from its rebels, including former AICC member Suresh Gupta Matlauda who is in the fray as an Independent and may mar the chances of the official candidate. Others who could play spoilsport include Rakesh Nagpal, former chairman of the Improvement Trust who joined the BJP and Pankaj Gaba, former Karnal YC chief. 

Panipat, October 7
Six glasses of black tea have not soothed his throat, so it’s time for a hot glass of ginger lemon – “but make it without sugar, I have already consumed my quota for the day”, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda tells his personal attendant at Hotel Hive here where he is camping for the night after a ten hour gruelling campaign.

Those contesting the elections are by now mostly confined to their own segments. But Hooda is confident about his work and that it would reflect in the poll results on October 19.

He is surviving the poll by cultivating a sense of humour. In a drab and dull campaign where most politicians are targeting each other, he leaves no opportunity to ask people the cost of tomatoes, onions and other essential items. “A woman asks a vendor for tomatoes worth Rs 5. The seller takes out a knife and the woman turns hysterical – what are you doing? She asks. Behenji in Rs 5 I’m slicing the tomato into half because you will only get half a tomato at this price,” he quips amid laughter and making his point about the rising inflation after the BJP was voted to power.

Trying to stick to his image of a “sharif” politician, he hesitates to call PM Narendra Modi a “liar”, “the PM has been misled by his advisors, the facts given out by him at the Karnal rally are misleading. Haryana is number one among the big states”, he tells a mammoth gathering at the Azad colony here. However, he does not leave any opportunity to make jibes at the BJP by saying “acche din aaye kya” (are you seeing better days), inflation is hitting an all time high affecting everyone.

The next attack is on the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) – Chautala says he is in jail for giving jobs to 3,200 people. “Have any of you got a job? On the other hand how many of you were selected but the jobs went to others”, he questions the gathering that responds with a thunderous applause.

He then goes on to explain what Chautala did. He switched the names of the selected candidates with those he wanted to induct, denying meritorious candidates their right. Do you remember the days of terror under the Chautala rule? Do you want those days to return?” he asks with the crowds responding with an emphatic nay.

Realising that the Karnal and Panipat voters comprise of paddy farmers, he takes on the Centre saying that he has written several letters to the PM asking Modi to compensate basmati growers. He received an evasive answer from the Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh saying that the government has no such policy to compensate farmers for losses arising due to fluctuation prices in the international market.

“The BJP government cannot understand the plight of the farmers; I do as I am the son of a farmer myself,” he points out.

Before he calls it a night, there are countless visitors who greet him as if he’s already won. He smiles “Hooda government for the third time is not wishful thinking, but will be a reality.”

Mahendragarh, October 7
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally at Pali village in the district tomorrow. It will be Modi’s first visit to Ahirwal after being elevated as Prime Minister.

Notably, he had addressed his first rally in Rewari on September 15, 2013, after being declared as Prime Ministerial candidate by the saffron party. The overwhelming response to Modi’s rally in Rewari had created a wave in favour of the BJP not only in Ahirwal but the entire state before the Lok Sabha elections.

“The people of Ahirwal are expecting the same response and observing the event with full curiosity. The local BJP leaders and cadres are upbeat over the rally and hope that it will provide the much-needed impetus to the saffron party in Ahirwal,” said political pundits. — TNS

Barsat (Karnal), October 7
The BJP campaign got a boost today at Gharaunda and Assandh Assembly segments after Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj campaigned for the party’s candidates Harvinder Kalyan (Gharaunda) and Bakshish Singh Virk (Assandh).

Addressing a massive gathering at Barsat village and Assandh, the Union Minister promised clean, transparent and good governance in the state. She urged the people to give a chance to the BJP for development and said, “Elect BJP as you did during the Parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has many development plans for Haryana because he has an attachment with the state,” she said.

“Because of this attachment, the PM has given a major representation to Haryana in the ministry with four ministers from the state. It is a trailer and the film is yet to come,” the Union Minister said.

Releasing the manifesto of Gharaunda Assembly segment, prepared by the party’s candidate, Harvinder Kalyan, she said, “We have set a target of 56 and will achieve it as we did in the Lok Sabha elections with the support of the people.”

Playing an emotional chord she said, “I am also a daughter of Haryana and I assure you an inclusive growth with no discrimination.” 

Beri (Jhajjar), october 7
People coming from various villages to listen to BJP chief Amit Shah faced disappointment when the latter did not reach Beri town on Tuesday.

He was to address a meeting at Swaraj Ganj in the town in favour of BJP nominee from Beri Vikram Kadian, son of two-time former MLA Om Prakash Beri. However, people had to wait for Shah for over four hours. Around 6 pm, it was announced that Shah would not be able to reach the meeting venue. Later, Shah addressed the gathering for two minutes over the mobile phone. — TNS 

Ellenabad, October 7
BJP president Amit Shah today launched a blistering attack on the INLD in the home constituency of Abhay Singh Chautala and urged people to bring his party to power to end “bhai, bhrastachar and goondagardi” (fear, corruption and goon culture) in Haryana.

Addressing an election meeting for BJP nominee Pawan Beniwal, a long-time associate of Abhay Singh who severed relations with his mentor some time back and decided to contest against him, Shah said the turnout in the rally suggested that people of Ellenabad had already decided to get rid of “Goonda elements”.

Shah was equally vociferous in his attack on Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda and exhorted voters to end the game of “Hooda-Chautala, Hooda-Chautala” in Haryana as the two had ruined the state.