Chandigarh, March 31
Haryana Congress MLAs will visit mandis across the state to assess the challenges faced by farmers during wheat and mustard procurement and extend their support.
The decision was taken at a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held in Delhi under the chairmanship of Leader of the Opposition and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, according to a party statement. Newly elected Rajya Sabha MP Karamvir Boudh was also present.
During the meeting, leaders held detailed discussions on various issues concerning the state and decided to organise district-level meetings in May. The party also resolved to submit a written complaint to the Election Commission of India against the returning officer of the recent Rajya Sabha elections, alleging wrongful cancellation of votes cast by Congress MLAs. The issue will also be taken up in the high court, the statement said.
The Haryana Congress had earlier accused returning officer Pankaj Aggarwal IAS of acting in a partisan manner, an allegation he denied, stating that he followed due procedures and instructions.
Polling for two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana was held on May 16. Sanjay Bhatia of the BJP won one seat, while Congress candidate Karamvir Singh Boudh secured the other after a close contest with Independent candidate Satish Nandal. Following the polls, the Congress identified five MLAs for alleged cross-voting and issued show-cause notices. Of the five votes declared invalid, four were reportedly cast by Congress legislators.
At the meeting, Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh said a disciplinary committee meeting on the cross-voting issue is scheduled for April 3.
Raising concerns over farmers’ issues, Hooda criticised the BJP government, alleging it was creating hurdles in the procurement process. He said new rules, including biometric verification, photographs of tractor licence plates, and the requirement of three guarantors, would make the process difficult for farmers.
Hooda further stated that such measures could lead to long queues and delays at mandis, increasing costs for farmers, many of whom use rented tractors. He also highlighted the lack of basic facilities such as gunny bags and tarpaulins at mandis, urging the government to address these issues.
