Just as he takes the reins, Haryana's new Congress president, Rao Narendra Singh, finds himself in a familiar, unwelcome spotlight.An old controversy has been brought back to the forefront by the rival Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), who have publicly re-released a CD allegedly showing Singh involved in a "cash-for-CLU" (Change of Land Use) scamThe timing is no coincidence, putting immediate pressure on both Singh and the Congress party. The opposition is wasting no time, questioning the decision to appoint a leader who is already facing a serious, long-standing investigation.A Look Back at the AllegationsThe issue traces back to 2013, when Singh was a minister in the Bhupinder Singh Hooda government The INLD first released the CD then, claiming it was a sting operation. The video allegedly captures Rao Narendra Singh in a conversation about a significant amount of money, reportedly in the crores, to approve a land use change for a large plot of land.Following the initial release of the CD, the matter was investigated, and an FIR was eventually registered against Singh and four other politicians in 2016 under the Prevention of Corruption Act Although the investigation has been pending for years, the core allegations have never fully gone away.Political FalloutThe INLD is leveraging this old scandal to attack the Congress leadership. They have publicly questioned Rahul Gandhi's stated goal of bringing in fresh, untainted leadership in Haryana, suggesting Singh's appointment is a step in the wrong direction.For his part, Rao Narendra Singh has consistently maintained his innocence, previously claiming the CD was doctored and part of a political conspiracy against him. However, with the INLD ensuring the controversy is front and center once again, Singh's new role as state president has started on a turbulent note, forcing him and the party to confront the ghosts of the past.
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