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Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Article 370: I support govt's move, Congress has lost its way

Hooda said he supported the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government on abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

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Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda addressing 'Parivartan Maha Rally'
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Setting the tone for his probable exit from the Congress, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday said the party has lost its way and that he will not compromise when it comes to "patriotism and self-respect."

Addressing 'Parivartan Maha Rally' at his home turf Rohtak, Hooda said he supported the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government on abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. 

"When the government does something right I support them. Many of my colleagues opposed the decision to abrogate Article 370, my party has lost its way, it's not the same Congress it used to be. When it comes to patriotism & self-respect, I'll not compromise with anyone," Hooda said. 

Striking a poetic note, Hooda said, "I was born in a patriotic family, those who oppose (abrogation of #Article370), I want to tell them "usulon par jahan aanch aaye, vahan takrana zaruri hai, jo zinda hai to zinda dikhna zaruri hai (It is necessary to clash when it comes to principles, whoever is alive must show it)."

He, however, gave no quarter to the Manohar Lal Khattar's government in the state and said, "I support the decision to abrogate Article 370 but I want to tell Haryana Govt that you will have to give an account of what you did in 5 years, don't hide behind this decision."

Our brothers from Haryana are deployed as soldiers in Kashmir, that is why I supported it, Hooda said. 

He also promised to bring a law to ensure 75% reservation to locals in jobs. 

"If we form the government, we will bring a law like Andhra Pradesh, so that 75% of jobs go to the people of Haryana," he said.

The Rohtak rally is being projected by his supporters as a show of strength ahead of assembly polls and is being watched closely for the signals it sends about his plans.

No senior Congress leader has been invited to the rally which has led to speculation that Hooda could be thinking of charting an independent political course.

Hooda had attended the Independence Day event at the Congress headquarters on August 15. 

For long, Hooda has been seeking a change in the state leadership but his demand has not been accepted by the Congress top brass. 

The rally is being seen as a signal by Hooda that he should be projected as the chief ministerial candidate and appointed as state unit chief. He is also keen to have a major say in the distribution of tickets. Hooda's son Deepender Hooda is also seen as a contender for the post of PCC chief.

BJP, which is riding high after its unprecedented success in the Lok Sabha polls, has already started its preparations for the assembly polls.

Party chief Amit Shah announced 'Mission 75' at a rally in Jind on Saturday and accused the Congress of not repealing Article 370 over the past 70 years.

He said Modi government's decision to repeal Article 370, which gave special powers to Jammu and Kashmir, was a "milestone". 

Chief Minister Khattar launched Jan Aashirwad Yatra on Saturday ahead of the state elections. 

(With inputs from ANI)

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