“We have the numerical strength, our flock is together and we are confident of winning our seat,” said former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. File
| Photo Credit: ANI
A day ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections on March 16, 2026, in Haryana, former Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday (March 15, 2026) expressed confidence in Congress’s Rajya Sabha candidate winning in Haryana, while taking a jab at Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, calling him a “CM on deputation” for his frequent visits to Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections there.
Talking exclusively to The Hindu in Chandigarh, Mr. Hooda dismissed concerns surrounding cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election, saying, “all the 37 MLAs are united and will vote for the Congress candidate”.
Also Read | Haryana Rajya Sabha polls: Congress MLAs reach Himachal Pradesh to prevent cross-voting
On the Congress MLAs staying in hotels in Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh, he said “They have gone there of their own free will and shall come back on March 16 to cast the vote.”
The ruling BJP has 48 MLAs, Congress has 37, the Indian National Lok Dal has two MLAs and three legislators are Independents in the 90-member Haryana Assembly, with 31 votes each required for two candidates to make it to the Rajya Sabha from Haryana.
“We have the numerical strength, our flock is together and we are confident of winning our seat,” he said, even as he took a dig at the Indian National Lok Dal, terming the INLD as “B-team of the BJP”. “Why is INLD not revealing who it would vote for?” he quipped.
Hitting out at the BJP government in the State, Mr. Hooda said, “It appears there’s no government in Haryana. The BJP government has not taken even a single decision in the public interest. They are not fulfilling their poll promises. They promised to provide monthly financial assistance of ₹2,100 to women aged 18 and above, but they have now imposed several conditions, which amounts to backtracking on their promise. The recent budget shows their failures. The government is raising an internal debt of ₹76,250 crore, while the debt repayment (principal ₹36,101 crore plus interest ₹29,566 crore) totals ₹65,667 crore. This leaves only ₹10,593 crore for other expenditures. The majority of borrowed funds are being used for current consumption and repaying old loans, which is impacting capital formation and development activities, and hindering the state’s economic growth. It exposes the BJP’s much-touted ‘double engine’ claims surrounding development.”
Also Read | Congress names Kamarvir Boudh, a SC leader, as its Rajya Sabha candidate from Haryana
Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister, Mr. Hooda said “While Haryana continues to face serious problems of poor land and order, rising corruption, unemployment and rise in culture of gangsterism, Mr. Saini is frequently visiting Punjab for political events. He is on deputation and therefore has forgotten Haryana. Mr. Saini is trying to sell their model of governance in Punjab, but the truth is that there’s no such thing as governance in Haryana. The organised crime across the State through 50-60 gangs, has increased to an alarming level. The Social Progress Index (SPI) report of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council revealed that Haryana is the most insecure State in the country. According to the NITI Aayog Fiscal Health Index 2025, Haryana is ranked 14 among 18 major States, placing it at the bottom five. No one is secure in Haryana. The BJP has failed on all fronts.”
Pointing out the issue of Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the center of a decades-long water-sharing dispute between Haryana and Punjab, Mr. Hooda said “During his visits to Punjab, Mr. Saini should ask for Haryana’s rightful share in the SYL. In fact, in the State budget, he made no mention of taking over Haryana’s share of SYL water from Punjab. The BJP has surrendered Haryana’s interests.”
Published – March 15, 2026 03:36 pm IST
