Prez Poll: Hooda rules out cross voting in Haryana Cong

Chandigarh, June 27 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today ruled out the possibility of any cross voting against UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil in the state in the Presidential polls.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Hooda said the Congress had 67 MLAs in the state Assembly and with the support of one MLA each of the BSP and the NCP, the number went up to 69. ''Ms Patil will secure even more votes than this figure,'' he asserted.

The Chief Minister was responding to a query as to whether the MLAs in the state belonging to the Bhajan Lal camp could take recourse to cross voting against Ms Patil.

He dismissed as baseless the various allegations levelled against Ms Patil by the opposition parties and others.

Mr Hooda reiterated that the state cabinet would be expanded after the Presidential polls.

Asked if the Haryana Police would help in executing the non-bailable warrants against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, he said he would not answer a hypothetical question.

Refuting rebel Congress MP Kuldeep Bishnoi's allegation that law and order situation had deteriorated under the present government, Mr Hooda said the increasing investment in the state was a testimony of the improved situation.

UNI