The Hindu : Bhajan Lal upset over `criticism' by Hooda

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 23, 2003

Other States

Other States - Haryana

Bhajan Lal upset over `criticism' by Hooda

By Rajesh Ahuja

CHANDIGARH MARCH 22. The president of the Haryana unit of the Congress and former Haryana Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal, has taken a serious note of reports that a few partymen, including a few sitting MLAs, have been openly criticising the party leadership at rallies and other fora.

In an interaction here this evening, Mr.Bhajan Lal admitted that he had read media reports that the Leader of the Opposition, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and a few others had openly criticised him at a rally organised at Jhajjar recently.While underplaying the "dissidence'' against him, Mr.Bhajan Lal said "if such utterances were made these were condemnable''. While refusing to spell out a timeframe as to whether any disciplinary action would be taken, his reply was "this will not be tolerated''.

Former Haryana Finance Minister, Mange Ram Gupta, the sitting MLA from Jind, quipped, "such activities by a few partymen were weakening the Congress and rather imparting strength to the Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala.''

Mr.Bhajan Lal also denied any knowledge about a meeting of so-called dissidents at Haryana Bhavan in New Delhi recently in which it was decided to stage a dharna at the AICC headquarters against removal of a few block Congress presidents.

He asserted that he was not being vindictive against anyone and only those block presidents had been removed who had not attended party meetings or performed their duties satisfactorily. These had been replaced by ad hoc presidents.

He hinted that the removed Block chiefs could get a reprieve if they started cooperating and worked for the party rather than indulging in petty groupism.

Asked about whether he would participate in the Kaithal rally being organised by the Hooda camp, he said, "I have not been invited. In case I get the invitation, I will surely go as I have no personal enmity against anyone.''

He claimed that invitations had been sent to all party leaders to participate in the official functions of the party.

Mr.Bhajan Lal pointed out that the Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, was trying to rake up a useless controversy regarding alleged collection of funds by Mr.Hooda during the Kandela agitation. He said that he had not received any written complaint against Mr.Hooda and asserted that there was no truth in the allegations.

Interestingly, most of the Presidents of the District and Block Congress Committees attended a meeting at the party office here this afternoon. The AICC Secretary, V. Hanumantha Rao, was also present.

The District and Block Congress presidents were asked to participate in a meeting being convened in Delhi on March 28 and 29 by the AICC as well as the `Desh Bachao' rally on March 30 which would be addressed by the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi.

According to highly-placed sources, Mr.Rao is understood to have expressed "displeasure'' over the absence of key PCC leaders.

He is understood to have exhorted the partymen to exhibit "unity'' in case the Congress wanted to come to power in Haryana also.

Mr.Bhajan Lal further pointed out that a membership drive would be on in April, May and June to enrol new party workers.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Bhajan Lal upset over `criticism' by Hooda