Local INLD leaders held a meeting on Monday, announcing their support to the farmer's agitation. About 60 workers of the BJP's Haryana unit led by former education minister Ram Vilas Sharma attempted to march towards the SEZ site to express solidarity with the farmers.

They were arrested by the police on the way. On July 4, Kuldip Bishnoi, who broke away from Congress party, joined the agitating farmers and had attempted to organise a rally at the SEZ site in Harsaru village.

Bishnoi, who leads the Haryana Janhit Congress, was arrested along with his supporters and prevented from marching. On Monday, local MLA and former deputy speaker of Haryana Assembly, Gopi Chand Gahlot, announced the launch of a full-fledged stir against the Haryana government.

He said his party would decide on the future course of action in a bigger meeting on July 13 against the state government to oppose transfer of state government's 1,400 acres of land for the Reliance SEZ. Gahlot also condemned police suppression against farmers. "The police have started implicating the farmers in fake criminal case and have registered FIRs to terrorise them.

Many of the farmers have fled their homes and there is curfew-like situation in villages such as Harsaru, Garoli Kala and Garoli Khurd where the state government acquired the land and passed on to Reliance," he said. Umesh Aaggarwal the publicity secretary of the BJP in Haryana, said party leaders have decided to meet on July 18 to oppose the state government on its stand on Reliance SEZ. "We have decided to take the agitation further in support of the farmers whose land was acquired.

Our party opposes the transfer of land to Reliance for SEZ," he added. The working President of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Kuldeep Sharma, said the government was helping the Haryana State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation in taking possession of the land because the corporation has 10 per cent equity share in the SEZ. He said by sharing equity, the state government wanted to have its say in matters related to SEZ so it can pressurise entrepreneurs to employ local in the units to be set up there.

There were irregularities in the deal and land had been allotted to the RIL at a very cheap price, they alleged. In its 20-minute meeting with the Governor, the INLD alleged that the land had been handed over to the Reliance group without following rules and regulations or adopting competitive bids. ‘‘The Governor said he will inquire into the matter. This is a very positive response from him. We are satisfied with his reply. This indeed is the biggest-ever scam in the country,’’ claimed Sampat Singh, while addressing a joint press conference later today with Ajay Chautala and Ashok Arora, state INLD president.

RIL had last month signed a deal with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIDC) to set up a Rs 25,000-crore special economic zone in Gurgaon district, that would boast of a dedicated airport and a 2,000 megawatt captive power plant.

The RIL, besides pumping the Rs 25,000 crore into the SEZ, would seek additional investment from third parties totalling Rs 1,00,000 crore. The deal had raised a political storm in the state, with the main Opposition INLD and BJP and ruling Congress MP from Bhiwani Kuldeep Bishnoi demanding that the deal be scrapped. They had alleged foul play and claimed it had serious irregularities in it.

Sampat Singh pointed out that the HSIIDC was the first to get the permission for setting up of the SEZ for which it also procured 1,715 acres of land in Gurgaon. However this land has now been given to the Reliance Haryana SEZ project without any open bidding or tender process. Singh said that the land had been given at rates ranging between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 21 lakh whereas the market price was anywhere between Rs 6 crore and Rs 72.50 crore per acre. This would result in a massive loss to the farmers of the state who had been paid very little compensation. Sampat Singh said that it was surprising that 1,400 acres of land was being given to the Reliance group for Rs 290 crore whereas just four acres of land at nearby Manesar had recently been auctioned by the HSIIDC for a similar amount.

Talking to media persons here, Mr. Sampat Singh said the government had been making claims that Haryana was producing 4000 MW of power and its need was 9000 MW.

He termed the claims as false and said the fact was that the generation capacity of the state was 4000 MW and precisely this was the demand at the moment. But the generation units were working at 75 per cent capacity only resulting in a shortage of 1000 MW of power.

He said that as far as the need of 9000 MW of power in the state was concerned, it was for the next five-year plan due in 2012.

He said the state government had announced the setting up of five gas-based power plants of 1000 MW capacity each at Panipat, Hisar and Faridabad and two at Jhajjar.

He said that he had warned at the very onset that these would not be feasible as Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) had already expressed its inability to provide any gas till 2009. He said Abbon Llyod, which was to construct these projects, was yet to start work on these projects.

Mr. Sampat Singh produced before the media persons, the minutes of a Cabinet meeting held on May 3, 2006, during which the state government decided to purchase power through negotiation from a single party, Lanco Group of Industries, based at Hyderabad.

He said the Cabinet had itself mentioned in the minutes of the meeting that the fate of the proposed gas-based power projects in the state was very uncertain due to non-availability of gas. The Cabinet also mentioned in the minutes that nuclear-based power project at Kumharian in Fatehabad district was not likely to be completed before 2015.

He alleged that the Cabinet decided to enter into an MoU with the company for purchase of power on long-term basis by negotiations though it should have invited tenders for the purpose.

He said the overall power scenario in the state was very bleak but the government was trying to befool the people by claiming that it would be able to produce 9000 MW of power in five years.

He said that not only there was an acute scarcity of power in the state, even the infrastructure of power was not up to the mark. There was shortage of electric poles and other equipment.

Terming the state government as total failure, the INLD leader said the government had not been able to provide Deputy Commissioners in all districts. He said that posts of DCs remained vacant in two districts for more than six months and another district remained without an SP for two months.

   Said Karamjit Singh, commissioner in the Electoral Commission of London: `` I am very impressed with the use of technology and the role of the media in educating the country about the electoral process. The election commission site was updated immediately as well as the news channels were flooded with every possible information.'' India, apart from USA is the only country in the world that does not use paper ballots for its elections.

   Delegates from about 38 countries were in Delhi to attend the conference organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in cooperation with the Election commission of India, from February 24-26.

   While the election officers from various countries discussed issues like role and nature of election management body, use of technology, relationship between management bodies and political parties, about 16 delegates from Maldives, Malavi, Nauru, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and the UK witnessed the voting process in Faridabad and the counting process in Gurgaon.

The visitors also hailed Gurgaon as an ``economic success'', saying that the IT destination of India, would soon be the IT destination of the world. They were overwhelmed by the numerous MNCs that dot the landscape of Gurgaon, along with the several highrises and swanky malls. Another delegate, Victor Ashby from Granada, commented on the culture, Bollywood and the electoral process. He said `` India is progressing in leaps and bounds and is rooted to its culture as well.''

• Way back in the '70s it was the first state to pioneer highway tourism.
• And, now it has taken the lead in giving concrete shape to the concept of rural tourism which at the level of the Centre is still in the realm of intent.

Haryana Tourism has since come out with a colour brochure with an evocative theme. Opening with a quote from Tagore on his brush with nature it asks,

• 'When was the last time you chased chickens.
• Roamed in the fields with pure wind on your face.
• Found yourself jiggling up and down to the thrills of a bullock cart or a tractor ride?'.

  Farms tourism, it says, seeks to awaken the child in you…to experience the unforgettable whiff of the countryside…plant baby seeds...enjoy the delights of organic food and experience many spontaneous joys of nature that you may have never known before.

A massive rally, and a show of support that dwarfed anything the opponents could coble together, amassed at the Gaushala Maidan for Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot helped close the phase of public campaigning. Now, the power is in the hands of the voters.

The sea of INLD green and the Chashma (Spectacles) stretching as far as the eye could see sailed thru the major parts of the city, enthralling the viewers with an awesome show of support. The march started at the Anaaj Mandi and wound its way amidst the beating of drums and dancing by supporters.

Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot led the march to the Gaushala Maiden where he was joined on the stage by actors Yukta Mukhi and Sanjay Kapoor. To make a point about the chashma, both actors took off their sunglasses and reminded people of the election symbol - chasma yani spectacles.

Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot flanked by Miss World Yukta Mukhi and Actor Sanjay Kapoor at a massive rally in the Gaushala Maidan on Feburary 01, 2005.

Distilling the messages from campaign speeches that he has delivered hundreds of times to small and large groups, he reminded the sea of supporters that the campaign was on the ascent. Now it was not a question of victory, but it was a question of whether it would be by a record margin.

Charging his opponent with incompetence he said that someone who did nothing for Gurgaon when he was in power for 15 years, was now trying to to divide people on basis of caste, creed, and greed. "But, the public of Gurgaon is smart," said Bhai Gehlot. "The public knows who has worked."

"The citizens of Gurgaon know that I have been among them throughout the last five years. They know that I have travelled to every nook and corner to listen and solve their problems, and they know that I have stood should-to-shoulder with them. And they know that the development works of the current administration have happened in every sector, every village, and every dhani. I was the representative of all of Gurgaon and not only the people who voted for me - and I have shown that with my deeds."

Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot addresses the last rally and asks for continued support for the development and progress tasks that were put into motion in the last 5 years. Gurgaon and become NUMBER 1 today, and must stay at Number 1. Incidentally, the name of Bhai Gopi is also NUMBER 1 on the Electronic Voting Machine, and that is what you should press. Chashma yani Spectacles.

"And what is this hava? I have faced these havas in all the previous elections, and against the same opponent since 1991, but the citizens have always supported me in increasingly large numbers. And now that they can compare my 5 years of track record with the opponents 15 years of non-performance and rest assured that their vote was for the right person. And I promise, that the developemnt in the last 5 years is just the begining, and the next 5 years are going to be historical in their impact."

Attracting mammoth crowds, that the state leaders or even national leaders roped in by the opponents could not draw, Bhai closed the elections campaign of crowds that were many times larger than those of his opponents. Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot demonstrated convincingly that the tide had now turned. The mood of the electorate was now set - and the electorate had now chosen Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot.

Bhai Gopi has now addressed his last rally and sung his last song, as the public campaign came to an end last evening. Now, the decision is in the hands of the voters. And, all indications are that the voters will return Bhai Gopi to the Vidhan Sabha with a thumping majority.

that will start from the Anaaj Mandi and crisscrossing the whole city & main Sadar Bazaar, will culminate into a public rally at the Gaushala Maidan - just like it was done during the last time.

It promises to be the definitive public display of the deep and broad support that he enjoys in Gurgaon. Many mega stars and top heroines will grace the occasion.

A anxious crowd awaits Bhai Gopi Chand as he criss-crosses the Gurgaon constituency on his campaign trail.

In a constituency which has over 2,90,000 voters, it is a race against time for all candidates. But Bhai Gopi is very fortunate for it is not the first time he is going back to the voters after 5 years. To every village, every sector, every dhani, which he has visited many times during his 5 years as an MLA, it seems that it is less of him asking for support and more of an opportunity for supporters eager to their show their enthusiasm for him. Every where I followed him, I could see him getting energized as he saw the "josh" of the crowds that gathered to receive him.

As you can see from Bhai Gopi's schedule published on the site there are meetings scheduled every hour or half-an-hour, but what is missing is the tens of meetings and trips that get squeezed into the empty (and not so empty) gaps. Bhai knows that it is personal interaction with the citizens, in small and large groups that matters most and that is what he seeks.

A crowd of the village elders listens to the MLA who always stood shoulder to shoulder with them thru thick and thin, through oppposition and administration, and who has now returned to their midst for their blessings.

Rushing from one meeting to another, from one rally to another, seeking blessings from the elderly, and resetablishing bonds with supporters and well-wishers, seems to invigorate Bhai.

And every time he reminds them about the Chashma symbol, and that is on the top of the voting machine. The symbol is number 1, and the party behind the symbol has today made Gurgaon NUMBER 1. And that is where it should stay - at Number One.

Chashma, yani Spectacles.

This is not a new contest he reminds the crowds. It is now definitely a two-way race and his opponent was in power/MLA/Minister for over 15 years - and what does he have to show except empty promises of what he will do. The track-record is weak but the promises are galore. And without batting an eyelid Bhai Gopi tells people to evaluate his 5 years and his opponents 15 years - and see which indicates the path to a brighter future.

And what a whirlwind he has been this five years. What the crowds vouched for, and I can second, is that:

• There was easy access to Bhai. Bhai has not only travelled to every village, every dhani, and every sector, asking residents about what the government could do for them - he could be reached at his house or on the road by everyone.
  Bhai saab addressed both small and intimate gatherings of supporters, as well as large and mammoth rallies.

• Work has been done, and promises have been kept: No one can deny the developement work that has propelled Gurgaon to the NUMBER 1 City in India, and so the opponents either try to divert the discussion elsewhere, or start poetical but confused monologues about the "meaning" of developemnt.
• The scope of development has been broad and deep: The day Bhai Gehlot won the last elections he declared that he was the representative of "all" Gurgaon and not only those people who had voted for him. And he proved his words in deed too. Ask him and he can roll of projects and work in every sector village, and down to even the dhanis and firnees.
• Inclusive Nature: Unlike the other candidates who either disparge the newcomers to Gurgaon, or those who have isolationist streaks like the Shiv Sena - Bhai has a very inclusive outlook. He knows that we need employment generators and we need to prepare Gurgaonites with education, infrastructure, and opportunity to become manpower and brainpower needed by them.

And his style seems to have touched many hearts. Everyday I see living proofs of them on the campaign trail, and I fear that he has touched my heart too making it hard to maintain journalistic integrity with which I had begun this journey with him ...

Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot at the inauguration of the National Law College on October 07, 2000.

In the four decades since 1962, no new institutions of higher education were established till INLD came to power. Since then in the last 5 years four colleges, including the National Law College, have been established and two medical colleges are in the pipeline. This is our performance and unlike our opponents (with whom this old fight has been going on since 1991) we have kept our promises.

One of the key efforts of Mr. Gopi Chand Gehlot has been the increase of levels in schools so that students can continue in the same establishements for higher classes.

A night-time rally of Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot ... "and miles to go before I sleep."

The gatherings are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot at the inauguration of the Mini-Secretariat on October 06, 2004.

Treading the path of Chaudhary Devi Lal's vision of bringing the Government to the citizens, and to make the administration easily accessible to the citizens, a Mini-Secretariat was inaugurated on October 06, 2004 by Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and Deputy Speaker Gopi Chand Gehlot.

• The aim of the secretariat is to provide a single window service at the mini-secretariat to provide the facility of various administrative services at a single place.
• A number of offices of the State Government function under one roof and the people do not have to run from one place to another to get their works done.

Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot listen to the problems and concerns of the citizens in INLD's signature program "Sarkar Aapke Dwar."

India is a vibrant and the largest democracy in the world. The Government of Haryana took great strides to fundamentally improve upon the democratic principles under the leadership of Honourable Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala.

"Sarkar Aapke Dwar": For the first time in democratic history of the world, a program "Sarkar Aapke Dwar" (Government At Your Doorstep) was envisaged by the Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala when he saw certain shortcomings in the system. The poor people could not travel to the State Capital so the Chief Minister took it upon himself to bring the government to the people.

The "Sarkar Aapke Dwar" was held in 5 phases during the last 5 years. A large number of peoples and public problems were solved by bringing the common people from the street face-to-face with the Chief Minister and the top administrative officials. The common people told their problems and got the solutions on the spot. This program has been a spectacular success.

"Vidhayak Aapke Dwar": Treading the same lines as done by the Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, Bhai Gopi Chand Gehlot went to each ward and village along with the civic and administrative officials and solved peoples problems on the spot.

This program was a great success because all the visits to the colonies and villages were held on holidays, so that each and every person could tell their genuine problems and get them solved.