Is Bhupinder Singh Hooda the Right Choice as Leader of Opposition in Haryana?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bhupinder Singh Hooda continues as Leader of Opposition.
- New President of Haryana Congress: Rao Narender Singh.
- Hooda critiques BJP's agricultural policies.
- Upcoming elections in October 2024 are crucial for Congress.
- Hooda's dominance in Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency confirmed.
Chandigarh, Sep 29 (NationPress) In a moment of celebration for Haryana Congress legislators, the party hierarchy confirmed the continuation of two-time Chief Minister and popular leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the Leader of Opposition.
An announcement came from the party's high command after prolonged discussions and considerations among party members over the past months.
Furthermore, the party appointed Rao Narender Singh as the President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, succeeding Udhai Bhan, a close aide of Hooda, as per an official statement from party General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, which detailed both appointments by the party President.
The party expressed gratitude for the efforts of outgoing state chief Bhan. Having successfully navigated challenges from within, Congress leader Hooda, aged 78, who held the Chief Minister's post from 2004 to 2014, actively campaigned throughout the state to secure the party's return to power in October 2024.
Veteran leader Hooda has been vocally criticizing the agricultural policies of the Haryana BJP government, alleging that the state is intentionally creating hurdles for farmers during the crop procurement period.
Hooda underscored systemic failings such as delayed tenders, a lack of gunny bags, and late payments that adversely affect farmers' financial well-being.
His criticisms imply a calculated approach by the ruling party to destabilize the financial security of agricultural communities.
Hooda reaffirmed his dominance by winning the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency in the Assembly elections on October 8, 2024, defeating his closest opponent, Manju, the BJP candidate, by a significant margin of 70,626 votes.
A seasoned politician, Hooda began his second term in October 2009 after leading Congress to a remarkable election triumph, marking the first time since 1972 that a ruling party was returned to power in Haryana.
Professionally a lawyer, Hooda initiated his political career with the Youth Congress. He served as a Member of Parliament from the Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency for four terms—1991, 1996, 1998, and 2004.
He also held the position of Leader of Opposition in the state legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2004.