Hum Madam (Mrs DGP) ki duty par hain

In the village lanes, when crowds stall the movement of the cars, a constable, a sten-gun slung over his shoulder, jumps out of the Tata Safari in which Malik herself is travelling — and pushes the people to a side, clearing the path.

Ask the constable, who is driving the jeep (HR-04-9110) — with a red beacon on top — why he’s here when this is a poll campaign. ‘‘Hum Madam ki duty par hain,’’ (We are on Madam’s duty) he says, his name badge missing but not his Haryana Police insigna.

When asked for his name, even as the driver hesitates, other Malik supporters packed in the jeep shout, ‘‘Yeh constable sab hain.’’

Traversing through the villages in the wheat growing Sonepat-Guhana belt, and addressing gatherings at chaupals, Malik seems unaffected by the controversy. Wearing a pastel green salwar-kameez, her head covered with a dupatta — very much like the local women — Malik says she has nothing to do with the controversy involving her husband.

‘‘He is a government official. Whatever decision he and the Chief Minister have taken, I have nothing to do with it,’’ she says. Asked about the propriety of the police escort and the two constables, she says: ‘‘I think, it is to maintain law and order. I am contesting elections for the first time, it has probably been arranged by the party (INLD),’’ she adds, just before getting up to address a gathering in Kakhana village.

Her spokesman, Vedvrat, claims that all candidates have been given security by the administration—denied by SP Sonepat Kuldeep Sihag. ‘‘We decide on security for candidates only after the nominations are finalised.’’ Incidentally, Malik hasn’t filed her nomination yet—the dates for filing are between April 16 and 23 for the May 10 elections.

When contacted, P C Bansal, ADGP (Law and Order) told The Indian Express: ‘‘We have not taken a decision on security for candidates. We do provide it to some on a need basis.’’ Asked about Krishna Malik’s case, he said: ‘‘I have to check the details.’’

In all villages, Malik is welcomed by garlands of money — Rs 1,100 or Rs 2,100. ‘‘All this money will go the party,’’ she says.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Government which was to send a proposal to the Election Commission for appointment of an officiating DGP during Malik’s leave had not done so until late this evening. The EC had asked for a panel of senior IPS officers for the appointment of a new DGP.