The Hindu : Other States / Haryana News : Hooda's magic tilts the balance in civic elections

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Monday, Apr 18, 2005

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Other States - Haryana

Hooda's magic tilts the balance in civic elections

Rajesh Ahuja

Congress-backed nominees manage get 20 out of 31 seats in Ambala City

CHANDIGARH: The recent change of guard in Haryana which saw the installation of the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress Government and the total rout of the Indian National Lok Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party seems to have worked its magic in the just-concluded elections to the Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees which were contested with the backing of these main political parties.

According to political observers, an analysis of the results available so far clearly indicates that the people have once again reposed their faith in the Congress which won 67 seats in the February 3 Vidhan Sabha elections.

The observers say that the analysis of the verdict in Ambala City and Cantonment clearly brought out the fact that the people of the State want to give ample time to the new regime headed by Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda to deliver the goods. Even though there were minor incidents of violence, polling was not only heavy but also largely peaceful.

The Haryana Excise and Taxation Minister, Venod Sharma, who is also the local Ambala City MLA, told this correspondent on Sunday that the Congress-backed nominees had bagged nearly 20 out of 31 seats in the City which was a notable achievement.

What was most encouraging, he added, was the rout of the BJP which had controlled the outgoing Municipal Council so far. While attributing the Congress victory to the clean image of the Hooda regime and its resolve to bring transparent administration in the State, Mr.Sharma said that the BJP and the INLD had lost their political base in Haryana. He further disclosed that the Congress had emerged as the single largest party in Ambala Sadar. And in Kalka, too, the Congress bagged a large number of seats regaining control of the Council. Interestingly, the BJP failed to mark its presence there also. According to official sources, over 75 to 80 per cent votes were polled to elect 949 members of municipal councils and municipal committees.

Unauthorised colonies

The Hooda Government is working on a new policy regarding regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the State. This was indicated by Mr.Hooda while talking to media persons in Gurgaon on Saturday.

The Chief Minister asserted that illegal mining in the Aravali range of hills would be checked firmly in consonance with the Supreme Court of India directions.

Mr.Hooda reiterated that the dignity of Panchayati Raj institutions would be restored by giving them adequate powers. His regime was committed to the all round development of the State.

An industrial-friendly climate would be created and industrial houses would be motivated to set up their units in the State.

The police would be modernised and equipped with new weapons, vehicles and modes of communication. The education facilities would be expanded in southern Haryana and a new National Law College would be set up in Rewari.

A new education city on the pattern of Oxford University would be set up in the State to improve quality of education. A suitable place would soon be identified to set up this City. Mr.Hooda reiterated that the southern parts of the State would get their due share of canal water

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Hooda's magic tilts the balance in civic elections