• That’s why we used to say, ‘Why is Haryana fighting over Chandigarh in Punjab? It must stake claim for Delhi.’

Delhi was part of Haryana in the olden days. Culturally, rural Delhi and Haryana are similar.

• Hooda saab, when you go to the villages — because your voters are still mostly in the villages, and that’s where you belong to — and when you tell people Haryana is getting Rs 78,500 per head in investment, do people understand?

People know this creates employment. Unemployment is a major problem that we have to solve. Landholdings are diminishing. If the grandfather had 10 acres, the grandson inherits half an acre. It’s hard to sustain (a family on that). Not everyone can get a government job. The alternative is industrialisation. Some enterprising kids are able to set up small industries. Some take to odd jobs.

• But when you explain your point to people, do they understand? Or do they harp on the usual demands for sarkari naukri and increased landholdings for farmers?

There’s just no land left for agriculture. An entire family cannot sustain itself through agriculture now. People understand that. In Jhajjar, Reliance is investing in an SEZ deal. People thought they’d get a lump sum, but now they are investing in small jobs, flats. Their lifestyle is improving.

• Are they getting substantial amounts of money?

... contd.