Irate Bhajan camp blames it on Sonia

It was a day of few highs followed by many lows at the Panchkula residence of Bhajan Lal.Since morning, supporters gathered at the former CM...

It was a day of few highs followed by many lows at the Panchkula residence of Bhajan Lal.

Since morning, supporters gathered at the former CM’s residence, expecting him to be nominated once again. But around 2 pm, the cheers were distinctly falling flat. Hope gave way to speculation and then doubt before news trickled in that Bhupinder Singh Hooda had been chosen CM. By evening, there was palpable anger, mainly directed at Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Youth Congress president Sanjeev Sharma, who had come from Bhavanigedha in Bhawani district, fumed: ‘‘I have come here for the oath-taking ceremony of Chaudhary Bhajan Lal. Sonia Gandhi, and not the contenders, is to be blamed for this disaster.’’ The news of Hooda being chosen CM triggered an outburst of ‘‘Bhajan Lal zindabad, Sonia Gandhi murdabad. Bhajan Lal CM banao. Haryana mein Congress bachao.’’

As the anti-Sonia tirade struck a high pitch, a few workers urged colleagues not to criticise the ‘‘high command’’. The supporters then began marching towards the Sector 18 chowk to block traffic in protest but turned back half-way, again reminded of the ‘‘high command’’.

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Appointing Hooda on the basis of caste consideration also came for severe criticism. Congress party worker Vijay Dheer said: ‘‘Appointing the CM on the basis of caste is a retrograde step. It will only increase casteism in Haryana.’’ O.P. Verma, former PA to Bhajan Lal, added: ‘‘Bhajan Lal has the support of more than 42 MLAs. Sonia Gandhi’s step is a move towards killing party democracy.’’

Local party workers were also crestfallen. Rajiv Kunda, of the Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress, said: ‘‘It is a tragic day for us. We are only waiting for directions from Bhajan Lal and Chander Mohan to register our protest.’’ Rajiv Chopra, vice-president of the District Youth Congress, was confident ‘‘Hooda would not be able to run the government as he does not know how to. His government will not last long.’’

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