The differences in Haryana Cabinet following the inept handling of Jat quota stir in the State appears to be deepening with State Cabinet Ministers continuing to engage in a war of words over the issue of compensation to be given to the families who suffered property losses or to those who were killed during the agitation.
The latest indication of the simmering differences in the State Cabinet comes in the form of statements given by Cabinet Ministers Anil Vij and Karan Dev Kamboj on Wednesday.
After reports of him threatening to resign over the announcement of compensation and job being announced for families of those killed during Jat agitation, Haryana Health and Sports Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said that no such decision was taken in the State Cabinet meet held on February 22, however, a Minister (referring to Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar) posted a tweet regarding the compensation of `10 lakh and a job.
Expressing his displeasure over the announcement and showing the Cabinet meet note, Vij said that three important decisions were taken in the Cabinet meeting held in view of Jat agitation in the State. These included assessment of loss occurred to innocent people and payment of their compensation on time, strict action against guilty or rioters after their identification and restoration of damaged Government property.
Notably, Vij had on February 22 threatened to resign following the announcement of compensation to the kin of those killed in the violence without consulting the state cabinet but the Chief Minister had managed to pacify the situation. During the Cabinet meet, Vij had pointed out that most of those killed could be involved in rioting and they could not be compensated.
Anil Vij while talking to the mediapersons on Wednesday also demanded a judicial inquiry into the incidents of violence during the Jat agitation. BJP MlAs meet should be convened and their suggestions should be sought to prepare future course of action, he said.
Vij also sought action against those who were behind arson and violence during the 10-day Jat agitation which saw loss of life and property.
When questioned about divide of Jats and non-Jats in Cabinet, the Minister went onto say that in BJP, there is no Jat and non-jat. We don’t believe in caste (jaat-paat).
The Minister also posted a series of tweets on Wednesday on his statements.
Another Cabinet Minister, Haryana Food and Supplies Minister, Karan Dev Kamboj also threatened to resign if compensation is not given to those who suffered losses due to damage of their personal property during Jat agitation.
The Minister told the media, he can resign if compensation is not given to the affected families.
He said that the persons responsible for the heavy losses that have been incurred in the state should be identified and strict action be taken against them.
Voicing his dissent over the Central committee constituted under Union Minister Venkiah Naidu to look into the issue of giving reservation to Jats in central government jobs, Kamboj said that OBC representation should have been ensured in the Committee. There is no OBC leader in this Committee, which is unfortunate, said he.
Kamboj went onto say that it is yet to be seen how the State Government would give reservation to the Jats as per the law though an announcement of giving reservation to them has been already made.
At the time when Haryana is limping back to normalcy, the non-Jat Chief Minister Manohar lal is now facing a tough time to keep his state Cabinet united.
Meanwhile, refuting the reports of divide in Haryana Cabinet, Haryana Agriculture and Development and Panchayat Minister Om Prakash Dhankar said that Haryana Cabinet is united.
“The personal thoughts of any Minister in the Cabinet can be different but all decisions are taken unanimously by the Cabinet,” he said in a statement issued on Wednesday.