Allegations of regional bias and favoritism have marred the tenure of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. During his time in office, the Congress-led government is said to have skewed priorities towards select regions, particularly Hooda’s home district of Rohtak, leaving vast areas of the state neglected and underserved.
Residents across Haryana witnessed a period where development appeared selective, with certain regions receiving a disproportionate share of government resources. Critics argue that Hooda’s administration adopted a strategic approach that favored his political base, resulting in the diversion of public resources away from areas in dire need of development.
Disproportionate Development: Rohtak and the Model Village Scheme
The Congress government’s model village scheme epitomized the alleged bias. While the initiative aimed to foster holistic rural development, it largely benefited Hooda’s stronghold, Rohtak. Out of the 65 villages identified as model villages, nearly 36% were concentrated in just two districts, with Rohtak taking the lion’s share. In stark contrast, districts like Sirsa, Mahendragarh, and Panchkula were overlooked.
Observers note that the underdevelopment of regions associated with political rivals, such as Sirsa—the constituency of the Chautala family—raised suspicions of politically motivated decision-making. This selective allocation of resources, they argue, deprived the state’s broader population of the benefits of government initiatives.
The Gurgaon EDC Scandal: A Case of Mishandled Funds
One of the most glaring instances of alleged mismanagement was the handling of the External Development Charges (EDC) in Gurgaon. Over ₹5,000 crore was collected under this scheme, but the Hooda government admitted in court that more than ₹1,000 crore remained unutilized. The funds, meant for development activities, failed to translate into tangible improvements, raising questions about the government’s commitment to equitable progress.
HUDA’s Unequal Resource Distribution
Further accusations of regional favoritism emerged from the Haryana Urban Development Authority’s (HUDA) activities between 2004-05 and 2013-14. A closer examination of resource allocation revealed that districts perceived as politically unaligned with the Congress party—such as Rewari, Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Sirsa, and Yamunanagar—received little to no support in development plans. This uneven distribution of resources, critics claim, stunted the growth of these areas.
Broken Promises and Public Discontent
The alleged bias left vast swathes of Haryana’s population feeling abandoned. Announcements of development projects rarely extended beyond certain favored regions, leading to accusations that the Hooda government prioritized its political interests over the state’s overall welfare. This perceived systematic regionalism not only isolated communities but also sowed seeds of disappointment and distrust among residents outside the favored areas.
As the state looks back at this period, the accusations of favoritism and neglect continue to shape public discourse, highlighting the need for more inclusive governance that serves the entirety of Haryana’s diverse populace.
