Haryana polls: Hooda confident of third term, asks BJP to declare CM candidate

Chandigarh: Confident of coming to power in the poll-bound state, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said on Tuesday exuded confidence that the Congress will form the government in the state for the third time in a row.

Addressing party workers here, Hooda said, “Every election is a challenge, am confident that we will form Govt in Haryana for the third time.” 

Hooda further hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party saying it is not in a position of declaring its CM candidate in Haryana as they don't have anyone left who is fit for this post.

“Why doesn't BJP declare who its Haryana CM candidate is? It is becasue they don't have anyone who can be at that post,” he said, ANI reported.

Assembly polls are due in Haryana in October this year. Congress had failed miserably in the recently held Lok Sabha polls as its tally came to one form nine after 2009 polls. 

However, Hooda, who has been facing flak from many of his party leaders in Haryana over his 'autocratic' style of leadership, had earlier indicated that he was not yet ready to make way for youngsters as he said that he was not tired and was raring to go for a third term as the CM.

In a scathing attack over the ruling Narendra Modi-led NDA government, Hooda had yesterday threatened to sit on dharna if the Centre failed to ensure better prices of rice for farmers. 

A statement issued by the government read, “Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda today warned the Centre that he may take a drastic step like sitting on dharna in Taraori mandi along with farmers if the central government did not take immediate measures to ensure better prices of rice for farmers.”

Hooda's reaction came soon after, BJP chief Amit Shah today attacked the state government, accusing the party of pushing the state backwards during the past ten years of its rule.

Shah, who had at an election meeting in Ambala yesterday ruled out any post-poll tie-up with Chautala-led INLD, today began his speech at a public meeting here, asking the people to speak out loudly "Bharat Mata ki Jai" as the "voice should travel to Tihar jail," PTI reported.

The BJP chief was critical of 79-year-old Chautala, who while addressing a rally at Jind on September 25 had said that he will take oath as Haryana's next Chief Minister from Tihar jail.

While BJP has so far not declared anyone as its chief ministerial candidate, Shah further said that Haryana needs a dynamic, well educated and young CM, who will work with greater zeal and vigour for the people of his state.