Former Haryana chief minister and Congress stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday took a different stand from his party line on abrogation of Article 370 and supported the Centre’s move to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a ‘Parivartan Maha rally’ at his home turf, Rohtak, Hooda said, “When government does something right I support them. Many of my colleagues opposed the decision to abrogate Article370, my party has lost its way, it’s not the same Congress it used to be. When it comes to patriotism and self-respect, I’ll not compromise with anyone.”
The comments by the Congress’s Haryana strongman come amid speculations that he might quit the party. The 71-year-old, however, said he would not quit the party, but constitute a committee of 13 MLAs who would decide the future course of action.
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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 (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 said.
Ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls this year, he also promised many things to the people. 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.