Leader of Opposition in Haryana assembly Abhay Chautala wrote to chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, criticising the recent installation of a statue of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhayay inside the Haryana Raj Bhawan.
Citing media reports, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader stated in the letter that he had learnt that a statue of Pt Upadhayay was unveiled at the Raj Bhawan complex by governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and Khattar.
“I am surprised that no one outside your party was invited for the unveiling. Therefore, I (would) like to believe that since you must have had doubts about its propriety, that is why the hush-hush affair,’’ he wrote.
He added that he was also surprised at the government’s decision to install the statue of a party figure inside the Raj Bhawan complex.
Abhay further stated that Raj Bhawan is above party politics and hence any attempt to politicise it was reprehensible. He held that no previous government had ever attempted the same.
“Raj Bhawan is the residence of the governor but it is not a private property which is subject to the whims and fancies of the occupant and the government in power. Therefore, I would like to believe that the installation and unveiling of the statue was a private affair of the governor, and that it was not commissioned from the state funds,’’ he added.
{{/usCountry}}“Raj Bhawan is the residence of the governor but it is not a private property which is subject to the whims and fancies of the occupant and the government in power. Therefore, I would like to believe that the installation and unveiling of the statue was a private affair of the governor, and that it was not commissioned from the state funds,’’ he added.
{{/usCountry}}The INLD general secretary also sought clarification from Khattar on the issue.