Hooda downplays Balbir Pal Shah's resignation

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today sought to downplay the resignation of Congress legislator from Panipat Balbir Pal Shah saying he had come to know about it only through media reports and refuted charges of regional bias in development works.
"I have read about it (Shah's resignation) in media reports, but didn't receive any intimation in this regard," Hooda told reporters here after a meeting of the state cabinet when asked to comment on the five-time MLA's resignation two days back.
Hooda, said Shah is a senior Congress legislator and "if he had any grievance, he could personally meet me," and urged Shah to reconsider his decision.

Shah had submitted his resignation to the Speaker on Sunday. However, the Speaker had given the MLA a week's time, asking him to meet him in Chandigarh later.
The Panipat City MLA, however, while talking to reporters earlier had alleged bias in development works in his constituency. After Shah took the step, another Congress MLA had yesterday also levelled allegations of regional bias against his own government.
Hooda said his government was making efforts to ensure inclusive development in the state.
"Those who were making baseless allegations about bias in development are doing so to hide their own failures," he said, stressing that there was no discrimination against northern Haryana in development works.