Bhupinder Singh Hooda asks AAP to fulfill promises

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today extended his wishes to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for forming government in Delhi and asked it to fulfill promises made to people.

Replying to queries on AAP's plans to contest polls in Haryana, Hooda said any political party can contest elections in a democratic setup, but maintained that Congress was the number 1 party in the state and the fight for second and third spots would become clear after the polls.

On AAP's emphasis on simplicity in politics, he said that the Congress was founded on the ideology of simplicity of the father of nation Mahatma Gandhi.

When asked about Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's directives to Congress-ruled states, Hooda said that Rahul wanted to end corruption and was taking measures for this.

In this regard, Rahul had stressed on the need for appointing Lokayuktas in all Congress ruled states and to give powers to already appointed Lokayuktas as per the new Lokpal Bill, the Chief Minister said.

Rahul had also laid emphasis on controlling price rise by making fruits and vegetables free of Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act, he said, adding that a a decision would be taken to enforce strict law to deal with hoarders.

When asked about New Year gifts to the people, Hooda said the state had announced 31 schemes that would be implemented from January 1, 2014.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the Food Security Bill had been implemented in the state and about 1.26 crore people people in the state would get its rice, wheat and dal at subsidised rates.

Hooda said he would look into the wealth tax being imposed in HUDA area over which there had been protests.

On being asked about Union Minister Kumari Selja's complaints that her letters were not being responded to, the Chief Minister said he replied to every letter, and pointed out that to understand problems of people, it is not enough to write letters.

One has to understand problems of people by meeting them at ground level, he said.