Chandigarh: Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at the Centre and in Haryana of compromising the state's interests by allowing major sporting events and development projects to be hosted in Gujarat. Speaking at a press conference, Hooda demanded that Haryana press its claim for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and urged Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to write to the Centre seeking the Games for the state.
Hooda's demands and claims
Hooda said the state should either host or co-host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and affirmed public backing for a formal request. He pointed to a Lok Sabha reply — sought by Congress MP Varun Chaudhary — which, he said, indicated the Haryana government had not submitted a proposal to host or co-host the Games. He added that the Congress would pursue the matter both on the streets and in Parliament.
“We will all sign that letter,”
The MP also alleged that the 2029 World Police Games, which were earlier proposed for Haryana, were now being suggested for Ahmedabad. He framed these developments within what he termed an "All-India Development Model for Gujarat", referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day announcement linking Gujarat with the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics.
Accusations on sports policy and infrastructure
Hooda criticised the state government’s handling of sports programmes, saying the BJP administration had scrapped the Congress-era Sports and Physical Aptitude Test (SPAT) and the "Padak Lao, Pad Pao" scheme. He said SPAT had benefited approximately 20 lakh children and provided incentives to promising athletes.
He further contended that Haryana's sports infrastructure had deteriorated under the current regime. According to Hooda, the previous Congress government had been responsible for constructing six international stadiums, four SAI (Sports Authority of India) centres and 232 sports stadiums. By contrast, he alleged inadequate maintenance of facilities, failure to appoint coaches and irregular provision of job offers and cash awards to athletes.
On central schemes, Hooda claimed Haryana had received only ₹80 crore under Khelo India despite producing more than half of India’s medals in major international competitions over the past 15 years. He used these figures to argue for stronger advocacy to secure events and funds for Haryana.
Opposition members raise other grievances
At the same press briefing, Varun Chaudhary accused the state government of altering Haryana’s official emblem to include the BJP's election symbol. Rajya Sabha MP Karmbir Baudh announced a Congress protest scheduled outside the HKRN office in Panchkula on Wednesday, focusing on contractual recruitment issues.
Implications and local perspective
The allegation that marquee events are being redirected has both political and economic implications. Hosting international multi-sport events typically involves central and state coordination on infrastructure investment, logistics, security and hospitality — and can bring short-term construction activity and longer-term tourism and sporting legacies. If Haryana were to host or co-host an event such as the Commonwealth Games, the state government would need to prepare proposals and demonstrate readiness to the Centre and relevant sporting bodies.
Hooda’s call for the state chief minister to formally request the Games underscores the procedural step required to put Haryana in contention. The Lok Sabha reply referenced by Hooda, as he described it, forms part of the parliamentary record and bears on whether Haryana has actively sought hosting rights.
| Item | Hooda's claim |
|---|---|
| 2030 Commonwealth Games | Haryana did not submit proposal; should host or co-host |
| 2029 World Police Games | Earlier proposed for Haryana; now proposed for Ahmedabad |
| Khelo India funds | Haryana received ₹80 crore, per Hooda |
Political reactions from the state BJP and central ministries were not part of the material cited at the press conference. Formal decisions on hosting rights for games are taken after technical evaluations, bids and inter-governmental consultations; parliamentary replies and ministerial statements typically form part of that record.
- Action urged: Hooda demanded the CM write to the Centre to claim 2030 Commonwealth Games for Haryana.
- Parliamentary angle: He cited a Lok Sabha reply obtained by Varun Chaudhary to argue Haryana had not proposed hosting the Games.
- Additional protests: Congress leaders announced a local demonstration over contractual recruitment at the HKRN office in Panchkula.
The dispute highlights inter-state competition for sporting investment and the political stakes of high-profile events. With Gujarat already referenced in national announcements, the contest over hosting rights and related infrastructure spending is likely to sharpen as stakeholders from state governments, sports bodies and the Centre prepare their positions.
