‘Barala is behaving like a dictator’

DEVENDER SINGH BABLI, TOHANA MLA

CHANDIGARH: As the BJP-JJP coalition government has been struggling to take off even three months after assuming office, the legislators of the junior coalition partner are getting restive. The latest to fire a salvo at his own government is Tohana MLA Devender Singh Babli. In an interview to HT, the 49-year-old giant killer, who defeated Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala with over 52,000 votes, says he is feeling suffocated in his constituency as the official machinery is working at the behest of Barala who still calls the shots.

Excerpts: Why are you upset?

Some people are still unable to digest the massive mandate that people of Tohana have given to me. An arrogant leader, who held a high position in the BJP and who used to consider himself bigger than the government and above the Constitution, refuses to mend his ways even after a humiliating defeat.

Are you referring to Subhash Barala?

Yes, of course Barala. He still behaves like a dictator and pressures administration. He is not letting me function and fulfil my promise of clean administration. Because of Barala, police, civic body and power department officials are not cooperating. I want the CM (ML Khattar) to take corrective steps.

What is your main grouse?

There are many .... Drugs are easily available in Tohana town, women are feeling unsafe. An atmosphere of fear is being created to defame me. I am upset because I am accountable to the public. What kind of a legislator I am if I cannot give voice to the problems of the people and solve them. At the root of all these problems is Barala. He is like a fish out of water and now creating all sorts of problems. All district officers are reporting to Barala.

So you are upset because officers are not knocking at your door.

Babli haazri lagvaane vaalaa nahin hai. Babli to sevak hai. Babli nahin chahta ki koi adhikaari hazri lagane aye. Babli chahta hai ki public ki sewa sahi ho. I don’t want anyone to report to me. I want police to do justice with people. Drug peddlers and anti-social elements are having a free run. Public money is being siphoned off. A section of officials of Fatehabad district are taking instructions from Barala to defame me.

What do you plan to do?

I will meet CM in the next two days and later other ministers. I have already pleaded my case before deputy CM Dushyant Chautala two-three times.