MP Deepender Hooda Demands 2030 Commonwealth Games for Haryana; Targets Centre’s ‘Gujarat-First’ Policy

Rohtak/Chandigarh, August 18, 2026: Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda has urged the Haryana government to press the Centre for hosting or co-hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in the state, saying all Congress MPs will sign a letter if Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini writes to the Centre seeking the opportunity.

Talking to media persons, MP Hooda alleged that an “all-India development model for Gujarat” was being pursued at the Centre, claiming Haryana was being sidelined in major sporting events. He said the 2029 World Police Games were also being taken out of Haryana, while Gujarat was being given preference for events such as the IPL and T20. “If every sport and industry goes to Gujarat, one day even Haryana’s ghevar will be called Gujarat’s,” he quipped.

Deepender Hooda said a reply to a question raised in the Lok Sabha by MP Varun Chaudhary showed that Haryana had not submitted any proposal to the Centre for hosting or co-hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games. He alleged the BJP government had failed to effectively safeguard Haryana’s interests.

He also criticised the state’s sports policy, claiming the Congress government’s school-level SPAT scheme had benefited around 20 lakh children before being discontinued. He alleged that the “Padak Lao, Pad Pao” policy was also scrapped.

Deepender claimed the previous Congress government had built six international stadiums, four SAI centres and 232 sports stadiums, while the BJP government had failed to adequately maintain existing facilities. He further alleged that no coaches had been appointed in 12 years and that the sports budget had not increased adequately since 2019.

Questioning Haryana’s share in the Khelo India budget, Rohtak MP claimed that out of around Rs 3,500 crore, Gujarat received Rs 600 crore while Haryana got only Rs 80 crore. He called for world-class sports infrastructure at Haryana’s major sporting centres.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Karmvir Baudh announced a protest in Panchkula on August 19 against the recruitment system in HKRN. MP Varun Chaudhary also questioned the alleged use of the BJP’s election symbol in Haryana’s emblem and sought the government’s response.