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Sunday, Mar 06, 2005

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Equations change overnight in Haryana

By Rajesh Ahuja

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 5. In the topsy-turvy world of Haryanvi politics, equations and ground realities change overnight. The political crisis in the Haryana unit of the Congress following the election of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Member of Parliament, as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party and his becoming the 19th Chief Minister of the State seems to have dissolved overnight with the former Chief Minister and front-runner for the Chief Ministership, Bhajan Lal, accepting the fait accompli and extending "support'' to his bete noir albeit a day later.

Yesterday it was being said that Mr. Bhajan Lal and his flock of MLAs had "rebelled'' as they boycotted the CLP meeting in New Delhi.

According to political observers, Mr. Bhajan Lal, who had resigned as president of the Haryana unit of the Congress yesterday in a huff to register his protest over being "sidelined'' for the top post, is understood to have been mollified by the masterly stroke of Mr. Hooda who called on him this morning in New Delhi and seriously tried to appease the non-Jat leader who has served as Chief Minister of Haryana for three terms. It is learnt that Mr.Bhajan Lal was told even by other senior leaders that he had not been "sidelined'' and his contribution to the party's landslide victory in the recent Vidhan Sabha polls had been "appreciated'' and his resignation was being rejected. It was reiterated that Mr.Bhajan Lal should not only accept the verdict of the party supremo, Sonia Gandhi, effecting change of leadership passing on the mantle to a younger person, but also extend full support and cooperation to the Hooda-led Government.

Mr. Bhajan Lal, under whose presidentship the recent Assembly elections were contested, is understood to have assured Mr.Hooda that the new Congress regime would be stable. Interestingly, Mr.Bhajan Lal, who has been regarded as a wily politician, is understood to have played down yesterday's "rebellion'' as a "pressure tactic'' but now since Mr.Hooda had been already elected as the CLP leader, he would abide by the directions of the party high command, he said.

As a fall-out of these developments, Mr.Bhajan Lal called on Ms.Gandhi and reiterated his support to the Hooda Government. He also agreed to attend the swearing-in of Mr.Hooda along with his supporting MLAs. Political observers feel that Ms. Gandhi seems to have taken a wise decision in installing Mr.Hooda as the Chief Minister as this would not only send a clear message to the Jats in Haryana that the Congress was with them but also improve the party's image as Mr.Hooda has an unblemished track record throughout his political life.

Moreover, it is being said that being an educated person, Mr.Hooda would be better equipped to deal with administrative matters and ensure that the bureaucracy performed properly and transparently to deliver the goods to the masses. It is openly said in Haryana that the administrative machinery had been plagued by "corruption and inefficiency'' thanks to lack of will on the part of the then political masters. It is being said in political circles here that Mr.Hooda may have a smooth ride as the other aspirants for the Chief Ministership are not likely to pose any trouble. Moreover, any heartburning is likely to be sorted out once the new Ministry is installed. It is learnt that all factions may find a place in the Cabinet to maintain the "crucial balance''.

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