Launch Food Security programme from one platform: Birender Singh to Bhupinder Singh Hooda

CHANDIGARH: Congress leader Birender Singh today asked Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to launch the Centre's Food Security programme during his 'Sadbbhavna Divas' rally in Jind on August 20, instead of launching the scheme district wise on that day.

"I am organising a big rally on the occasion of 70th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi at Jind. I have told the Chief Minister that rather than launching the scheme district wise, why not there be a single launch from Jind, which will be a good thing," Rajya Sabha MP Birender Singh said while addressing a press conference here.

Birender was in news recently after he made sensational claim that berths in the Upper House of Parliament are available for Rs 100 crore.

He is a known detractor of Hooda and the rally is seen as an attempt of the party high command to send out a message of a united camp, party sources said.

Hooda has announced to implement the food security ordinance from August 20.

Under the Ordinance, Haryana government expects that 1.26 crore beneficiaries in rural and urban areas will be covered which will be almost 51.6 per cent of the state's total population.

Birender also said that he has personally invited UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for the rally.

When a reporter asked if Gandhi's visit to Jind is confirmed, Birender said in an assertive tone, "this is my rally on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary. I have invited Sonia 'ji' in person and in writing also. I have send her an invite and she has happily accepted it. Now, what more further you want to ask..She is a highly protected person, confirmation comes to the government and then they let us know.."

The jat leader also said that he has also sent an invite for the rally to all the party MPs and MLAs from Haryana.

When asked to comment on being dropped at the last moment after being a strong contender for a ministerial berth in the recent reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, Birender said, "I don't hold anybody responsible for this. It is the privilege of the Prime Minister (whom he decides to include or drop).

"The Prime Minister had called me and I got the letter. Later, I was told that for the time being it won't be possible. This is not such a big thing for me (not being made a minister), because when Chief Ministership can slip, this is nothing."

He refused to be drawn into the controversy surrounding Robert Vadra-DLF deal.

"It is a matter between two private companies. I don't think it's fair and correct to drag Congress into this," he said.