RAM BILAS, HOODA ENGAGE IN BANTER

Haryana BJP minister Ram Bilas Sharma and former Congress chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were involved in banter during the filing of nominations for the Jind bypoll last week. The entry of former minister Randeep Surjewala in Jind bypoll gave an occasion to Sharma to tease Hooda. A playful Sharma told Hooda: “Aapka kaanta nikal gaya (Your adversary will now be out of the reckoning).” The minister was referring to Surjewala who is considered a challenger to Hooda. The ex-cm was quick to retort by taking a swipe at Sharma. “Tera kaanta to tab nikla maanonga Sharmaji jab Khattar ki chhutti karwayega,” Hooda said. Sharma was a contender for the chief minister’s chair but could not make it as the BJP high command chose ML Khattar over him.