Kanda launches party amid protests

GURGAON/NEW DELHI: A man who ran businesses ranging from "hawai chappal (slipper) to hawai jahaj (airlines)" successfully. This is how Gopal Kanda, who is accused of abetting the suicide of air hostess Geetika Sharma, introduced himself to the public on Friday when he launched Haryana Lokhit Party. The party is headquartered in Gurgaon from where he operated the infamous MDLR Airlines and Geetika was an employee in the company.

Though there was much talk that the former Haryana minister, now out on bail, would get some sitting MLAs while launching the party, the thinly attended event had only two Bollywood faces on the dais — Satish Kaushik and Anil Sharma of 'Gadar' fame. "There are many MLAs who are in touch with me. But I did not want to take the blame of pulling down the government," he claimed.

While Kanda kept saying that his party will emerge as a strong force in the state in the next five months and as an alternative to the family-ruled parties, he avoided questions on the likely impact of pending cases on his party's fortune. "There is no criminal charge against me. The information is incorrect," he said in response to a question.

Even as Gopal Kanda was announcing the launch of his political party, around hundred protesters gathered outside his house and burned his effigy.

On Thursday, Kanda's counsel had opposed the pleas of police and Geetika's brother for cancellation of his bail and the next date of hearing is May 8. Sources said that by launching the party when he is out on bail, Kanda has tried to make his mark and his brother Govind can play a vital role in the party in case he is sent back to judicial custody. Kanda said his party would put candidates in all the 90 assembly seats.

Though responding to a female journalist's question Kanda said that his party will put best effort for women safety, the model of 7H did not mention any such roadmap. The focus areas are health, hospitality, horticulture, housing, handicraft, human resource and history.

Kanda claimed to "dynasty rule, casteism and regionalism in politics" and push development. The new outfit tried to touch key electorates — youth, farmers and jawans safeguarding the country — in its short 3D video. The independent MLA from Sirsa, who withdrew his support from Bhupinder Singh Hooda government, said that the state does not have a political party since the outfits revolve round four families. "The CM of the state is a franchisee of a family," he said.