CHANDIGARH: Panchkula industrial land allotment, AJL plot, Vadra DLF deal and now the land scam in Manesar — the writing is on the wall for Congress leader and two-time former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Hooda, whose residence and other properties were raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday, and some of his close aides are under scanner for “dubious” plot allotment and grant of licences.
The inquiries being conducted by the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the State Vigilance Bureau do not augur well for Hooda. Though the land licence raj of his two stints (2005 to 2014) was a talking point, the details of which are tumbling out now. They have raised questions about the working of his government.
First, the CBI registered a case against Hood a and some officers in May for alleged “favour” shown in the allotment of 14 industrial plots in Panchkula. Within days, the ED booked the ex-CM, officials of Associated Journal Limited (AJL), publisher of the National Herald newspaper, and others under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in restoration of an institutional plot.
Then, the Dhingra commission submitted its inquiry report into irregularities in grant of land licences to private companies in Gurgaon. And now, the CBI raids in release of land that was under acquisition, to private builders who had bought it from the farmers at throwaway prices. All these have come at a time when the Congress leader is under pressure, within the party and outside.
{{/usCountry}}Then, the Dhingra commission submitted its inquiry report into irregularities in grant of land licences to private companies in Gurgaon. And now, the CBI raids in release of land that was under acquisition, to private builders who had bought it from the farmers at throwaway prices. All these have come at a time when the Congress leader is under pressure, within the party and outside.
{{/usCountry}}Though he has a support of 17 Congress legislators and state unit leaders, Hooda does not have control over the party organisation in Haryana. His dominance has been challenged time and again.
The rival group is led by Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar and Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran Choudhry. They are making their own political moves, besides trying to make foray into his political turf.