Congress' Hooda makes open appeal to JJP & others to form Haryana govt

Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in a press conference on Thursday said that the Congress and other parties and independents who fought against the Bharatiya Janata Party should come together and form a government in the state. Hooda also took a jibe at the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government in Haryana and proclaimed that the verdict displays the government's failure. He was addressing the press at a time when both BJP's and Congress' trends showed them falling short of the halfway mark. 

"The BJP was talking of the target of 75 seats, but it is hardly passing 30-35. First of all, I would like to thank the people. The mandate is against the BJP and in favour of opposition parties, whether its the Congress, JJP, INLD or independents. I tell them all, it is time all of them come together and form a stable government. I, as chairman of the (Congress's election) management committee, assure everyone that they will be given respect and position and we will form the government," said the veteran Congressman with his son Deepender sitting beside him.

READ | Haryana Assembly Election Results 2019 LIVE: BJP-Congress Neck-to-neck

Hooda accuses

Bhupinder Hooda also alleged he received information of restriction of movement of elected independents. "I have received reports and got phone calls that independents are being stopped by government officials. I warn the authorities to not stop any elected representative from going anywhere. I will apprise the Election Commission of the complaints." When asked about reports of horse-trading of leaders of other parties and independents, Hooda reiterated that he has the information of independents being under watch.

Earlier, Dushyant Chautala, chief of the JJP which is leading in 10 seats at the time of writing, had responded to inputs that he had sought the Chief Minister's position over a proposition to ally with the Congress, said that any such discussion would be held only after the final results.

READ | BJP Spokesperson: 'Results Less Than Expectations' In Haryana

Hooda takes on the BJP government

During the briefing, Bhupinder Hooda also took a jibe at the ruling BJP's poor-than-expected show in the polls. "This is the first time I'm seeing most of the ministers, expect a few, have lost the elections. This just shows that this government has failed and should take responsibility and resign."

READ | Haryana Elections: Congress To Initiate Talks In Order To Form Govt

Hooda going to Delhi

He confirmed the reports that he is travelling to Delhi to meet the Congress leadership and ended the press conference saying, "everyone who supported us and stood by us will get respect, I assure that on behalf of my party." Congress core team comprising of KC Venugopal, Kumari Shelja, AK Antony, Ahmad Patel had a meeting on Haryana election in AICC headquarters in Delhi, to decide the future course of action. Congress state chief Bhupinder Hooda too is now on the way to the capital as the margin between BJP-Congress reduces.

READ | Haryana: State BJP President Subhash Barala Resigns From His Post