Hooda demands intervention on SYL issue

Hooda, meanwhile, sought to ignore another rally organised by Bhajan Lal at Panipat, 15 kms from here, stating that he had announced the programme of the Pradesh Congress Committee holding a block-level rally much earlier. He also brushed aside the talk of two parallel rallies and stated that they are not parallel but simultaneous rallies. "As an MP, Bhajan Lal can organise a rally in the state", Hooda said while talking to scribes at Israna. When asked, Hooda stated that he did not think that organising a rally by Bhajan Lal amounted to violation of party discipline. Holding of two rallies one by Hooda and another by Bhajan Lal at the same time and nearby places has brought out the infighting in the Congress in the open. Hooda, however, announced that the PCC would be organising district level rallies at Panipat and Sonepat shortly. The Panipat rally would be organised at the same place, i.e. Circus Ground, where Bhajan Lal organised a rally today.

Hooda stated that the action of the Akali leader Simranjeet Singh Mann in filling up the canal was an anti-national act and it was the duty of the government to ensure that the situation is brought under control before tension escalates between the two states.

The focus of attack of Hooda was on Om Parkash Chautala and the ruling government, though he made oblique references to the issue of Bhajan Lal granting tickets to his sons for the Assembly elections. He also announced the entry of a few local leaders into the party fold.

While the rally by Hooda had a large number of farmers, the Panipat rally by Bhajan Lal had a significant number of industrial workers. Among those present at the rally by Hooda were Sultan Singh, Chiranji Lal, Kirpa Ram Punia, Ranjit Singh, Anand Singh Dangi and Prasinni Devi.