Hooda slams Congress leaders for not supporting abrogation of article 370

Addressing a 'Parivartan Maha' rally in Rohtak ahead of the Haryana assembly elections, Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed strong support to the Centre's decision on Article 370 and lashed out at his own party over its stand on the issue, saying that it has "lost its way".

Rohtak (Haryana): Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday came down heavily on his own party for not supporting the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Addressing a 'Parivartan Maha' rally in Rohtak ahead of the Haryana assembly elections, Bhupinder Singh Hooda hit out at the Congress, saying that the party has lost its path and is not the same as it used to be.

"When the government does something right, I always support it. Many of my colleagues opposed the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370. They have lost their way. It is not the same Congress as it used to be," Bhupinder Singh Hooda said.

Notably, Hooda had earlier, too, backed the Modi government's decision to repeal Article 370, saying it was a "milestone". The Congress leader's statement has come amid the speculation that he may quit the party ahead of the Haryana assembly elections.

Continuing his tirade against the Congress leaders, he said that like others, he never compromises when it comes to patriotism and self-respect.

"Those who oppose [the abrogation of the special status], I want to tell them - Usulon Par Jahan Aanch Aaye/Vahan Takrana Zaruri Hai/Jo Zinda Hai To Zinda Dikhna Zaruri Hai," he remarked.

While addressing the rally, Bhupinder Singh Hooda also declared himself the chief ministerial candidate in the Haryana assembly elections. This, even when there is no official word from the Congress about the candidates who would be contesting the upcoming polls.

In fact, Bhupinder Singh Hooda also declared that he would appoint four deputy chief ministers if he is elected to power in the Haryana assembly polls. Exuding confidence of winning the polls, Bhupinder Hooda also claimed that he would become the next chief minister of Haryana.

The Congress leader also announced that he would form a 25-member committee to make a decision on forming a political group and said he cannot make a decision on his own. "A committee will decide the next plan of action," he said.

At the rally, Hooda also promised a slew of perks to the people of Haryana if he is elected to power in the upcoming Haryana polls.

Among these were loan waiver, free electricity to farmers, free bus service to women in Haryana Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and employment to at least one person in each family.

"If we form the government in Haryana, we will bring a law like Andhra Pradesh so that 75 per cent of the jobs go to the people of the state," he said.

"Rs 2,000 will be deposited in the bank account of every poor housemaker. Those below the poverty line will be given rice and wheat at Rs 2 per kg. Poor people will not have to pay electricity bill if they consume less than 300 units of powers," he said.

In the 2014 elections, the BJP had ousted the two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda by reducing the Congress to just 15 seats in the Haryana assembly.