India: BJP, Cong holds rallies ahead of Jind by-poll

Jind, Jan 25 (PTI) The BJP and the Congress put up shows of strength Friday as the Jind by-poll neared, with the ruling party accusing the Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala of not taking his role as an MLA seriously.

At a rally, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar suggested that Surjewala, the Congress' chief spokesperson, hardly attended the state assembly to which he was elected from Kaithal.

"Congress is such a buffalo who eats fodder of Haryana but gives milk in Delhi," Khattar said.

Of total 72 sittings of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Surjewala attended only seven, Khattar claimed.

There was no immediate comment on this claim from the Congress.

The by-poll for the Jind seat is scheduled to be held on January 28 and was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha.

On the second-last day of electioneering, the entire cabinet and top state BJP leaders addressed the rally in support of party nominee Krishan Middha, the son of Hari Chand Middha.