Bhupinder Singh Hooda was invited to Khattar swearing-in: Haryana govt

CHANDIGARH: The new Haryana government today said that outgoing chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was invited to the swearing-in of M L Khattar and a seat was reserved for him, contradicting the claim of the Congress leader that he did not receive an invitation.

The state government also said that Hooda's name was among the dignitaries who were to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Chandigarh Airport.

A Haryana government release this evening claimed that office of Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak had delivered an invitation card of the swearing-in ceremony at Hooda's and Member of Parliament Deepender Singh Hooda's residence at Rohtak yesterday.

"The invitation was delivered by an official of office of DC, Rohtak at about 1 PM on October 25," the release said.

Apart from this, one chair was exclusively reserved for outgoing Chief Minister on dais, the release said, adding that Hooda's name also figured among the dignitaries who were to receive the Prime Minister at Chandigarh Airport.

However, Hooda told reporters this afternoon, "I did not get the invite. Had I got one, I would have thought over it (whether to attend)."

A galaxy of leaders including the Prime Minister, L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, several Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of four BJP-ruled states, besides others attended the ceremony of Khattar and his Council of Ministers.

Khattar was sworn in as the 10th Chief Minister of Haryana today.