Congress Member of Parliament from Rohtak, Deepender Hooda, has launched a strong demand for Haryana to be designated as a host or co-host state for two of the world's biggest upcoming sporting spectacles: the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.
A Press Conference Fueled by Sporting Pride
The demand was made public during a press conference held on Tuesday, January 7, 2026. Deepender Hooda was not alone in this appeal; he was accompanied by nearly a dozen Haryana MLAs and four other MPs, presenting a united political front from the state.
At the heart of Hooda's argument is Haryana's unparalleled contribution to Indian sports. He pointed out that athletes from Haryana account for roughly 50 per cent of India's medals in major international competitions. Despite this staggering statistic, he expressed dismay that the central government selected Gujarat for recent hosting duties, bypassing the state he represents.
Allegations of Neglect and Underfunding
The MP did not limit his criticism to the hosting issue. He launched a broadside against what he perceives as systemic neglect of Haryana by the Centre. A key point of contention was sports funding. Hooda claimed that Haryana receives the lowest allocation under the central Khelo India scheme, a fact he finds contradictory given the state's consistent top-tier sporting performance.
Financial disparities formed another major pillar of his critique. Deepender Hooda argued that Haryana contributes significantly to the national exchequer through robust GST collections and toll revenues but sees a disproportionately low return in central allocations for development and welfare.
Beyond Sports: A Litany of Grievances
The press conference evolved into a comprehensive listing of Haryana's grievances with the central and state BJP-led government. Hooda touched upon several long-standing and contentious issues:
- Water Sharing and SYL Canal: He highlighted the delayed implementation of the Supreme Court's verdict on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.
- MGNREGA Implementation: He criticised the execution of the rural jobs scheme, stating that very few registered families in Haryana actually received the promised 100 days of work.
- Flood Relief and Infrastructure: The MP mentioned the denial of flood relief and the stalling of key infrastructure projects vital to the state's growth.
- Capital City Rights: The ongoing issue of Chandigarh's status as a shared capital was also raised.
- Closure of Institutions: Hooda cited the closure of important institutions within Haryana as another point of neglect.
Concluding his address, Deepender Hooda issued a clear warning. He stated that the Congress party would no longer remain a silent spectator if Haryana's rights continued to be overlooked. The fight, he declared, would be taken both to the floors of Parliament and to the streets. He also took a swipe at the BJP-led state government in Haryana, alleging it had "remained silent" on these critical matters concerning the state's future and dignity.
