Sulking Haryana BJP legislators

Upset over ‘neglect’, several BJP legislators in Haryana are publicly griping against the functioning of their own government. Though chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had tried to placate them on Thursday, his assurances do not seem to have worked. The 16 miffed MLAs, who have complaining against “sautela vyavahar” (step-motherly treatment), not only asked the ministers in the House on Friday about the fate of projects announced by the chief minister in their areas. They had another meeting to formulate a joint strategy. “Kuch log goad mein baitha

rakhe hain. Baki vidayakon ki koi sunwayi nahin hai (Some people are sitting in the lap. Other MLAs are not lent an ear). Officers keep objecting to everything. With what face we will go to the people,” one of them grumbled after the meeting. They are now waiting to meet the central leaders after March 11, the day of the assembly results.

in Haryana about their status. A number of them feel there is no place like neighbouring Uttar Pradesh where the assembly polls are currently underway. “Vidhayak ka bahut roab aur rutba hota hai UP mein (MLA has major influence and status in UP),” one of the miffed BJP legislator said. But it’s not the MLAs. A senior minister also feels this way. “Main jab bhi UP jaata hoon toh feel hota hai main mantri hoon (When I go to UP, I get the feeling that I am a minister),” an outspoken

minister said while chatting with reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing budget session. He attributed the difference to size of the two states. “Being a small state, the officers are in direct contact with the CM or his staff, and do not pay attention to legislators,” he said.