Haryana CM takes ‘revenge’ to new low

Former Excise and Taxation minister Brij Mohan Singla, declared a proclaimed offender by the Vigilance Bureau, would have also been in Yadav’s company had it not been for an interim bail.

The charges against them range from the heinous to the ludicrous. Former minister and Congress leader Nirmal Singh was accused of looting Rs 25,000 when he was spearheading a bandh at Ambala.

Jai Prakash, another former Congress minister, was booked on the charges of instigating a mob after the kirya ceremony of a former MLA even though he was miles away from the spot.

‘‘Leaders are arrested during such demonstrations, but the government doesn’t stoop to the level of registering cases of looting, robbery, et al,’’ laments Leader of Opposition, Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

But Chautala’s demolition men continue their crusade, allegedly implicating even families of the CM’s rivals.

Former ministers Tejinder Singh Mann and Charan Das Shorewala are among those whose family members have been booked.

Though the Congress and Haryana Vikas Party leaders have borne the brunt of Chautala’s wrath, the RPI too has been in the firing line. Its lone MLA K.S. Dalal was slapped with a dozen cases ranging from corruption to murder.

To be fair to Chautala, he’s not reserved his wrath for his rivals alone; his political ally, the BJP, is also at the receiving end. Which explains why leader of BJP Legislature Party, Krishan Pal Gujjar, known for his stand against the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is facing criminal charges.

Chautala, however, dismisses the charges as an effort to tarnish his image. ‘‘I’ve never tried to influence any investigating agency. These leaders break law and then want to get away scot-free.’’