BJP faces no challenge from any party, says Khattar

CHANDIGARH:Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday maintained that the ruling BJP faces no challenge from any political party in the state in the coming assembly elections.

Talking to the media minutes before the polls were announced by the election commission, Khattar said the BJP was well prepared for the polls with a target of 75-plus seats out of the total 90. “Everyone knows opposition is in disarray, hence no challenge from any party to BJP. However, there would be a contest on a few seats such as Garhi Sampla Kiloi with the Congress, Ellenabad with INLD and at some places with independents,” he said. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda (Congress) was elected from Garhi Sampla Kiloi and Abhay Chautala (INLD) from Ellenabad in the last elections.

‘ALL STATES SHOULD FOLLOW NRC’

To a question on the national register of citizens (NRC), Khattarsaid all states, including Haryana. should follow it in the national interest. “No foreign national has any business to stay in the country without permission. Some people say about 50,000 or one lakh people are illegally living in Haryana. We will ave a survey done to know the exact situation,” he said. “The NRC is a not a poll issue for us. It is the opposition which is raking up this issue like it did in case of Article 370 and terrorism. It will harm them,’’ he added.

FEELS SORROW FOR LIVES LOST IN 5 YRS

Talking to the media in Rohtak, Khattar said he feels sorrow for the lives lost during the past five years. The opposition has been criticising the CM’s handling of law and order situation during the Jat stir, Rampal episode in

Barwala and the dera violence in Panchkula. However, Khattar said, “The Jat agitation was started to defame the BJP government. We effectively handled the Rampal episode in Barwala.”

Meanwhile, the CM said the BJP will announce its first list of candidates September 27.