News / Author / Pawan Sharma

Pawan Sharma

Pawan Sharma, based in Chandigarh, is Assistant Editor in HT and presently writes on Haryana's politics and governance. During different stints over the past two decades, he covered Punjab extensively for 10 years and before that judiciary and Himachal Pradesh with focus on high-impact news breaking and investigative journalism.

Articles by Pawan Sharma

Haryana: Bhajan Lal’s grandson set for bumpy ride in family’s Adampur bastion

BJP’s Bhavya Bishnoi, 31, banks on ‘56 saal ka vishwas aur vikas’ for 17th consecutive win of family from its stronghold as he takes on bureaucrat-turned-Congress candidate Chander Parkash, 61, who is urging voters to give him a chance.

BJP’s Bhavya Bishnoi with supporters during electioneering in the Adampur assembly constituency.

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 25, 2024 08:22 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Haryana assembly polls: At 23%, AAP tops list of candidates with criminal cases

The AAP’s Nuh segment nominee Rabia Kidwai has declared “cheques dishonoured” in the brief description of offence column, while Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) nominee Sheela Nafe Singh Rathee (Bahadurgarh) has been facing four criminal cases under sections 420 (cheating) and 467 (forgery) of the Indian Penal Code

At least 36% Independent candidates (43 out of 119) are among those with criminal background and striving to become law makers in Haryana. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 19, 2024 08:34 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Once a key force, INLD to fight only on 51 seats

Once the dominant political force in Haryana, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), whose patriarch, the late Chaudhary Devi Lal, was India’s deputy prime minister, has fielded just 51 candidates for elections to the 90-member state assembly with its ally Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) contesting another 38 seats.

The INLD started weakening after it lost to the Congress in 2005. However, the party bounced back in 2014 by emerging the principal opposition party in Haryana Vidhan Sabha with 19 legislators and INLD general secretary Abhay Chautala became the leader of Opposition in the assembly, pushing the Congress to the third position with 17 seats. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 17, 2024 06:54 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Stage set for high-octane election battle in Haryana

Battlelines drawn: 1,031 candidates left in fray as 190 candidates withdraw nomination papers. During the single-phase polling on October 5, total 2,03,54,350 voters (1,07,75,957 men, 95,77,926 women, and 467 third gender) will decide the fate of 1,031 candidates and which party will rule Haryana.

MP Deepender Hooda after pacifying Congress rebels Jasbir Malour and Himmat Singh, who were contesting against party candidate Nirmal Singh in Ambala City. Both withdrew their nominations on Monday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 17, 2024 06:42 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Still a man’s world: Haryana political parties shy away from fielding women

Just 51 women have been given party tickets this time round, in the last 14 assembly elections, only 87 women have become lawmakers in the state

From left: Congress’ Geeta Bhukkal, Independent Savitri Jindal and BJP’s Arti Rao. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 14, 2024 08:50 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Sunil Rahar, Chandigarh

Haryana assembly polls: BJP 2nd list out, drops 2 ministers, 5 MLAs; fields 11 new faces

Haryana has total 90-assembly constituencies and the ruling BJP has now declared 87 candidates; the BJP is yet to field its nominees in Faridabad-NIT, Mahendergarh and Sirsa segments

The party’s second list, released before the September 12 deadline for filing nominations, is replete with its gambit of social engineering, shuffling of candidates and fielding fresh faces while denying tickets to incumbent legislators, a move aimed at bucking the anti-incumbency of its 10-year rule in Haryana. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 11, 2024 07:30 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana elections: BJP’s second list of 21 candidates out, six MLAs dropped

With this, the BJP has fielded 87 candidates and three segments where the party is yet to announce the candidates are Faridabad-NIT, Sirsa and Mahendergarh.

The BJP dropped six legislators, including the minister of state for education, in its second list of 21 candidates released on Tuesday. (Representational photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Sep 10, 2024 03:56 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Haryana elections: BJP names 67 candidates, CM Saini from Ladwa

BJP announces 67 candidates for Haryana assembly polls, retaining 21 incumbents, introducing 20 new faces, and dropping 8 MLAs amid anti-incumbency.

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini. (HT file)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 05, 2024 08:32 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Existential battle for JJP in high-stakes Haryana assembly polls

Having positioned itself as a promising regional player during its time in power, JJP has been hit by desertions and decline in clout of late

Former Haryana deputy CM Dushyant Chautala (File)

India News

Updated on Sep 02, 2024 05:09 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

BJP bets big on ‘night watchman’ Nayab Singh Saini to fight off anti-incumbency

During this short window, the Saini-led minority government took a slew of please-all populist decisions almost daily.

Major challenge before Nayab Singh Saini who got just 77 days to run the government without poll code restrictions (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 30, 2024 04:51 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Job woes a major hurdle in BJP’s hattrick dash in Haryana

Unemployment, along with Agnipath and farmers’ issues, is the Congress’ primary arsenal to ambush the ruling BJP in state where over 46 lakh voters are in the 18-29 age group

The Congress has been belligerent in targeting the BJP over ‘unmet poll promises’. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 27, 2024 07:16 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Rajya Sabha bypoll: With no opposition, it’ll be a cakewalk for Kiran

The scrutiny of the papers is slated for Thursday. The seat fell vacant after incumbent Deepender Singh Hooda of the Congress was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Rohtak constituency.

Former Congress leader Kiran Choudhry, the daughter-in-law of former chief minister Bansi Lal, is set to get elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Haryana as nominee of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after no other candidate entered the fray on Wednesday, the last day for filing the nomination. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 22, 2024 07:46 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana: BJP’s Kiran Choudhry set to enter Rajya Sabha unopposed

Lone candidate filed papers for RS byelection in presence of CM Nayab Singh Saini, state BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli and party co-incharge for state Biplab Kumar Deb with some JJP rebel MLAs also extending support.

Chandigarh

Published on Aug 21, 2024 05:24 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Kiran Choudhry quits Haryana assembly, likely to be fielded by BJP in RS bypoll

Tosham MLA’s decision to resign from the assembly comes a day before the August 21 deadline to file nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha byelection.

Tosham MLA Kiran Choudhry had quit the Congress to join the BJP in June. She is likely to be nominated as the BJP’s candidate for the Rajya Sabha byelection. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 20, 2024 02:08 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Haryana assembly polls: Jat leader Dhankar is head of BJP manifesto panel

Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, a Brahmin face of the party who represents Rai assembly segment of Sonepat district, said that BJP’s national secretary and former Cabinet minister Dhankar will head the 14-member manifesto committee and submit the “crucial document” at the earliest after incorporating views of every section of society.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday brought back former Haryana BJP chief Om Prakash Dhankar to the centerstage and appointed the powerful Jat community leader as the chairman of the panel that will draft the election manifesto of the saffron party for October 1 assembly election. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 20, 2024 08:18 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

‘Jai Hind’, not ‘good morning’, to be Haryana school greeting from August 15

According to the directorate of school education, the aim is to instill a sense of patriotism and national pride among students.

The government’s circular particularly emphasises nurturing a strong sense of national identity among students.

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 09, 2024 07:16 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Hit by Covid lockdown: About ₹3-crore rent waiver for contractors operating shops in Haryana bus stands

Following the representations from the affected contractors and the shopkeepers, the Haryana Cabinet on Monday approved the “waiver/adjustment/refund of rent scheme”. This policy aims at providing monetary relief to contractors and shopkeepers running businesses at Haryana roadways bus stands.

The Haryana government’s decision to waive four months’ rent for shops across bus stands of the State Roadways, impacted by the 2020 lockdown, is expected to benefit about 261 contractors, with the total rent waiver amounting to around <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>3 crore, it is learnt. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 07, 2024 08:02 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana govt doctors call off strike after 3 key demands addressed

Govt agrees to remove grade pay anomalies, to notify specialist cadre at the earliest and to give allowance for visit to hospital at odd/off duty hours to deal with emergency.

Doctors raising slogans against the state government during the strike outside the civil hospital in Panchkula on Thursday. The doctors’ demands include the formation of a specialist cadre and a career progression scheme that ensures parity with their central government peers. (Sant Arora/HT file)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 27, 2024 01:18 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Talks end in stalemate; strike to continue: Assn

The HCMSA, which represents government doctors in the statement, is on the warpath against the government over non-fulfilment of their various demands

The doctors’ demands include reducing the bond amount for post graduate courses from current <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1 crore; a specialist cadre; amendment in service rules to stop direct recruitment of senior medical officers; assured career progression (ACP) and grant of allowances at par with central government doctors. (Sant Arora/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 26, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Eyeing innovation, collaboration, ‘Shiksha Saptah’ in Haryana schools begins today

The aim of the exercise is to foster a spirit of collaboration and innovation among learners, educators, policymakers and stakeholders in the education sector.

Each day of the week under ‘Shiksha Saptah’ will feature a different theme, encouraging students to take up new challenges.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 22, 2024 07:58 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

30% posts of all ranks vacant in Haryana Police

DGP has advised the state govt to approach Centre for deploying 225 companies of Central Armed Police Force to conduct “fair and peaceful” assembly elections

As 30% posts of constables are alone vacant, the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) has started a recruitment drive to appoint 5,000 male constables and the physical measurement tests started on July 16. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 20, 2024 06:26 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

BJP won’t allow BC quota to Muslims in Haryana: Amit Shah

“The Congress government gave reservation to Muslims in the backward class in Karnataka. If they come to power in Haryana, they will do the same here, ” said Amit Shah during an event in Mahendragarh district of Haryana

Union home minister Amit Shah and chief minister Nayab Singh Saini during an event in Mahendragarh, Haryana, on Tuesday. (Amit Shah-X)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 17, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Cong gave OBC quota to Muslims in K’taka, BJP won’t allow it in Haryana: Amit Shah

Addressing the state-level Backward Classes Samman Sammelan in Mahendragarh in Haryana, Union home minister says PM Modi ensured 27% reservation to community despite opposition from Congress

Union home minister and BJP leader Amit Shah addressing the Backward Class Samman Sammelan in Mahedragarh, Haryana, on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 16, 2024 04:25 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Ahead of Haryana assembly polls, BJP readies BC outreach plan

All eyes are on Tuesday’s state-level Backward Classes Samman Sammelan in Mahendergarh where the Union home minister will be the chief guest

Union home minister Amit Shah will visit Mahendergarh in Haryana on Tuesday to woo backward classes. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 16, 2024 07:32 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Dry weather becoming a hurdle for direct seeded rice cultivation in Haryana

Under ₹4,000 per acre incentive driven policy, about 96,000- acre land registered against target of 3 lakh acre so far

Basmati rice can be grown as DSR under un-puddle conditions as it helps in saving soil and water resources along with less dependence on labour. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 06, 2024 06:04 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana not to impose monthly minimum charge on domestic power consumers

Currently, ₹115 on per kilowatt load is charged per month; decision to come into force from next billing cycle and benefit domestic consumers in urban and rural areas

The electricity distribution companies levy the MMC on consumers where the electricity consumption per billing cycle is below a specified limit. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 14, 2024 07:56 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana ex-CM Khattar begins new innings as Union minister

The 70-year-old and the Delhi University graduate had entered the electoral politics in Haryana in October 2014 when the BJP dethroned the Congress in assembly election

Karnal BJP MP Manohar Lal Khattar takes oath as minister during the swearing-in ceremony of new Union government, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 10, 2024 06:16 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

12% dip in BJP vote share in Haryana; Congress registers 15% rise

The BJP’s vote share in October 2019 assembly election was 36.49% when the party could not cross the halfway mark in the 90-member assembly and formed the government after stitching a post-poll alliance with the JJP.

Despite a drubbing at the hustings and its tally coming down to five seats from 10 in 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) vote share in Haryana Lok Sabha elections stayed 3 % ahead of the principal Opposition party, the Congress. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 09:14 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Deepender, Selja, Khattar emerge biggest winners in Haryana

Deepender avenged his 2019 defeat at the hands of BJP’s Dr Arvind Kumar Sharma and trounced the BJP nominee by 3,45,298 votes, the highest victory margin in the state. In Sirsa (reserve seat), Kumari Selja put on the mat BJP’s Ashok Tanwar by 2,68,497 votes. Tanwar is a former Congressman who remained Haryana Congress president also.

When Congress fielded Rajya Sabha member Deepender Singh Hooda from the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat again and sent former Union minister Kumari Selja to contest Lok Sabha election from Sirsa, the faction-ridden Haryana Congress was unanimous about the bright prospects of the party in these two seats. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 09:06 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Summer break fun: Haryana rolls out home task to make primary kids NIPUN

After summer break tiny-tots to rattle off Aadhaar and phone numbers, names of MP, MLA, CM and governor; students advised to massage feet of dada-dadi, nana-nani and in return the grandparents to regale them with stories

When Class 3 to 5 students of Haryana government schools will return to their classrooms on July 1, a month after the summer break that began on Tuesday, they may rattle off not only their own 12-digit Aadhaar number but also of the members of their family. (Courtesy: Haryana Government)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 29, 2024 07:04 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

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