Addressing a press conference here, Chautala said, “At a time when the state’s economy is in doldrums, the government is splurging money on ads,” adding that if his party comes to power, he would order a probe into the matter.

He claimed that the government has allocated Rs 75 crore to the PRD for the media campaign and also formed a Public Relations Society “for propagating Bhupinder Hooda’s name”. Officials have been recruited in the Society without issuing any advertisement, he alleged.

“The government also went overboard in highlighting the achievements of the late Ranbir Singh Hooda, which was nothing but a misinformation campaign,” said Chautala.

Bitterly criticising the government for its “failure on all fronts”, he also demanded that elections to the state Assembly be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.

“The financial deficit is rising, the state is facing an acute shortage of power and water, there is no law and order worth its name and development has come to a standstill. Only fresh state elections can sort out the mess,” he said.

With regard to the issue of seat-sharing with the BJP, Chautala said there are no differences between the two partners. “The INLD will support any winnable NDA candidate in the state,” he said, avoiding to be specific.