Following BJP’s victory in five municipal corporations, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Wednesday said that by giving mandate in favour of BJP, the people of the state has put their stamp on the welfare policies of the present State Government.
“We are enthusiastic with the poll results and hoped that people of the state would continue supporting us in the similar fashion and ensure BJP victory in the forthcoming Jind by-election, Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections slated to be held in 2019, Manohar Lal said while talking to the mediapersons at his residence here.
He said that the party registered the biggest victory in Panipat where mayoral candidate won the elections with a huge margin. The huge victory assumes special significance when the election was fought between BJP versus all, he said amid the chanting of slogans like “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “BJP Zindabad”.
Had all the opposition parties contested the elections on their symbols, we would have won with much higher votes, Manohar Lal claimed.
While BJP has won on 62 wards in five MCs, many other councilors also have expressed their faith in the BJP after their victory, he added.
Referring to BJP’s recent defeat in five states in assembly polls, the Chief Minister said that there were apprehensions about the timing of the elections to five corporations and two municipal committees in Haryana
It was said that the time was not appropriate for these elections as it could have put an impact on the outcome of the civic body elections in Haryana. But the people of the state has put its stamp on the transparent working culture of present State Government, Manohar Lal said.
Results of these elections clearly indicate that the citizens have appreciated our work and this victory would further motivate us to do more towards ensuring their welfare, he added.
When asked about possibility of simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha next year, Manohar Lal said that though an environment has created in the country that elections should be held simultaneously, it requires constitutional decision and support of all the national and regional parties.
I do not see any possibility of simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha in 2019 but it can happen in 2024, he said.
Manohar Lal, however added, we are ready for simultaneous elections but we have requested that elections should be held on time.
When asked to comment on the performance of opposition parties in the corporations and municipal committees elections, the Chief Minister said that the despite the unity shown by all the opposition parties in Karnal, the people rejected them and have supported the present State Government.
Asked about the date of by-elections to Jind assembly seat which fell vacant after the death of INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha, he said that though the period of six months of seat falling vacant would complete in February, it is the Election Commission which has to take a final call on this.
Regarding the decision to conduct direct elections of mayor in five municipal corporations, the Chief Minister said that the people of the state wanted that direct elections should be held for mayors.
He said that Uttar Pradesh has 12 municipal corporations and elections are held there in a systematic manner. We have made a similar experiment in Haryana and I personally feel that this system of election is much better, he added.
When asked to comment whether the recent poll results in few other states have put an impact on the corporations and municipal committees elections in Haryana, the Chief Minister denied this saying that every state has different situation.
It is the first term of BJP Government in Haryana but in those states, BJP had even ruled for 15 years. The five municipal corporations in which election was held covers eight to ten assembly constituencies where people have shown faith in our policies and functioning, he added.
In reply to another question regarding statements of opposition parties, Manohar Lal said that the public has taught us the lesson of victory and we wished that they teach us this lesson again and again.
Responding to opposition’s allegations of possibility of rigging in EVMs, the Chief Minister said that he advocates the use of electronic voting machines in the elections as it is best and transparent system of voting. Though the leaders of opposition parties point finger on the working of EVMs time and again, none of them could ind any flaw in its functioning so far, he added.
After the election results, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had expressed apprehensions on the possibility of rigging of EVMs in the polls.
On the other hand, Indian National Lok Dal, which was defeated on all three seats it contested for mayoral posts, claimed that voters’ support for the party has increased in Rohtak and Karnal with large number of votes polled in the favor of its candidates.