Haryana polls: Bureaucrats, ex-servicemen in fray for assembly polls

CHANDIGARH: In the dust and din raised in wake of forthcoming assembly polls in Haryana, retired bureaucrats and police officers have also thrown their hat in the ring to make a future in politics.

Some of the recently retired officers are in the fray to test political waters in the 'jat' heartland which goes to polls on October 15. Sunita Duggal, who resigned recently after a career in Indian Revenue Services, has been fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party from Ratia constituency. Her husband, Rajesh Duggal is IPS officer and Faridabad Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

Recently retired from Indian Administrative Services officer and Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana, Ramindra Jakhu, too joined the BJP. Jakhu, who retired in December last year, said inclusive development will take place under the new dispensation which is bound to impact the state.

With 35 years of administrative experience behind him as a bureaucrat from the state, Jakhu says he is "ready to play any role that the party assigns him." His wife Shakuntala, is the Chief Secretary of Haryana. Santosh Sarwan, wife of former IAS officer M L Sarwan, got a BJP ticket from Mulana constituency.

Besides, the saffron party is feilding retired officer Abhay Singh Yadav from Nangal Choudhary constituency.

"Former officers have also been given ticket as with administrative experience they can serve the people better after becoming a legislator. Winnability factor was also kept in mind," a Haryana BJP spokesman said.