Rohtak expected to keep it special place intact

The home turf of outgoing chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has often been targeted by political parties for getting extra attention, and sops, but despite the Congress’ rout, Rohtak is expected to keep intact the tag of CM’s home town as frontrunners for the top post from Bharatiya Janata Party have roots here.

Manohar Lal Khattar, who won from Karnal assembly segment with a decisive margin, was born at Nindana village of Meham and educated at Baniyani village of Kalanaur town in the district after his family shifted base here.

Khattar, who was earlier mulling to contest election from Rohtak assembly segment, had spent three decades at different posts in the state headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at Rohtak. Loveleen Tuteja, a local BJP leader who hails from Baniyani village, said since Rohtak has remained the ‘karambhoomi’ (field of work) of Khattar, he is ought to have a special place for this area, from where the saffron party stalwart, Mangelsen got elected on five occasions.

BJP’s national spokesperson Capt Abhimanyu, who emerged victorious from Narnaund assembly segment, has his family and house at Sector 14 of Rohtak. Apart from his residence, Capt Abhimanyu has business interests in Rohtak, including the headquarters of a regional newspaper he owns.

To prepare a political ground for himself in Rohtak, Capt Abhimanyu had also contested the Lok Sabha poll from Rohtak in 2004 against Bhupinder Singh Hooda and against Deepender Singh Hooda in 2005.
The BJP Kisan Morcha national chief, Om Prakash Dhankar who hails from Dhakla village under Rohtak Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency also has his residence at Sector 1 here. Dhankar had also unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha poll from Rohtak earlier this year.

Turncoat and veteran Jat leader from Banger, Birender Singh, who is expected to have a say in the formation of the BJP government in Haryana, also got educated here, while his grandfather and iconic Jat leader Sir Chhotu Ram had his base in Rohtak.

Virender Phogat, a social activist, said even if none of the aforementioned leaders gets the top post, Rohtak would retain a special place for the BJP as the state headquarters of both the saffron party and the RSS are located here.