For foothold in Congress bastion in south Haryana,Oppn set to woo rebel MP

To compound the Congress’ woes,certain areas of Jhajjar — which forms part of the Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency represented by Deepender Hooda son of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda — falls in the Ahirwal zone. Rao has announced that he will hold his next rally at Jhajjar.

The Haryana Congress,however,is putting up a brave face and has instead mocked Rao Inderjit’s declaration to get rid of ‘Congress politics.’ “Who is he to decide whether he will contest on a Congress ticket or not? It is not him but the Congress high command that takes a call on tickets. Surprisingly,he has not quit the party or even his membership of the Lok Sabha because he wants to retain his position as an MP. Had he resigned there would have been by-election which would have shown him his place because he has more than six month’s remaining term,” state Congress chief Phool Chand Mullana told The Indian Express.

Mullana went a step further and almost dared Rao to take a straight decision rather than circumventing political moves to save his chair. “Kursi bacha rahe hain (He is saving his chair). This is his old style and if he is so sure he should test the waters by jumping in the river,” the Congress chief said.

On possible disciplinary action against Rao over his public display of discontent,Mullana said: “The party high command is watching everyone. Proper action will be taken at the appropriate time. As for as the state unit is concerned we have already brought his actions to the notice of the high command.”

Mullana has sent a report regarding Inderjit’s assertions to Congress general secretary and in-charge of Haryana affairs Shakeel Ahmed demanding strict action against the MP for his anti-party activities. The report also mentions previous instances of Inderjit’s statements against the government,its functioning and the party. Ahmed has said that the party high command will take a decision on the issue after seeking a reply from the rebellious MP.

State Power Minister Captain Ajay Singh Yadav,another powerful leader from Ahirwal,admitted that Rao’s exit will have its impact in the region. “He had been speaking against the government for the past more than a year over the issues of development. People might have been under his influence to believe a few of his allegations but then we have enough time to dispel those misconceptions before the state goes to election next year,” he said. Yadav,an OBC is being seen as a replacement for Rao from the Gurgaon Lok Sabha seat. His name is also doing the rounds for the state Congress chief post.

MUKESH BHARDWAJ