Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Congress warming up for polls, mull sops

CHANDIGARH: Months ahead of parliamentary elections, the Congress government in Haryana seems to be gearing up for polls, by putting on offer 65,000 jobs in different departments, boards and corporations of the state, apart from the possibility of making more announcements to woo voters.

Sources said that during his rally on November 10 at Gohana (Sonipat), chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is likely to announce an increase in salaries of policemen -- the state has about 50,000 cops -- to bring them at par with Punjab. Hooda may also raise the old age pension for senior citizens, they said.

Battling anti-incumbency, Hooda's offer of government jobs and likely announcement of sops for different sections in his rally is apparently seen as an attempt to keep them in good humour before the polls as his government is facing allegations of regional bias in development works and public jobs.

The possibility of assembly elections in the state being held along with parliamentary polls cannot be ruled out as the gap between Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha polls in 2009 was less than six months. Assembly polls are due in the state in October 2014 while general elections may be held in April or May next year.

When asked about the possibility state polls being held along with Lok Sabha elections, Hooda said on Friday that assembly elections would be held when due. "My government would complete its tenure," he added.

Just as Hooda has ruled out early dissolution of the state assembly to pave way for simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the opposition doesn't want it either, sources said.

"The Election Commission of India (ECI) may direct holding of assembly polls in Haryana along with general elections as the gap between the two in 2009 was less than six months," said a senior government officer.

Hooda's rally at Gohana is also seen as a show of strength amid hectic political activity in the state. It is being held after INLD's rally at Kurukshetra on November 1 and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's event at Rewari on September 15.

BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's presence in the INLD rally had led to speculations about a tie-up between the two parties heating up the political scene in Haryana.

Also, dissidence in Haryana Congress has been a major headache for Hooda. By holding a big rally, he would like to show his strength among Haryanvis, sources pointed out.