Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, launched a sharp critique against the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on Tuesday. He accused the ruling dispensation of adopting an "anti-people" attitude by systematically ignoring questions, resolutions, and matters of public concern raised by the opposition during the recent assembly session.
Congress Motions Rejected, Key Issues Sidestepped
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Chandigarh, the former Chief Minister detailed a long list of critical issues that the Congress party sought to discuss. These included the status of Chandigarh, mining in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli hills, persistent problems faced by farmers and unemployed youth, recruitment scams, Minimum Support Price (MSP), MGNREGA, corruption allegations, the SYL water dispute, and the tragic deaths of sportspersons.
However, Hooda claimed that for the first time in the history of the Haryana Assembly, not a single adjournment motion, motion for suspension of business, or short-duration discussion motion proposed by the Congress was accepted by the government. This, he asserted, demonstrated a deliberate attempt to stifle democratic debate on pressing public matters.
Electoral Reform a Diversion, Says Hooda
The Congress leader also alleged that the BJP government deliberately introduced a discussion on electoral reforms in the House to divert attention from the opposition's charges of "vote theft" (vote chori). Hooda stated that the Congress staged a walkout because the matter, in their view, did not fall under the state assembly's jurisdiction. He announced that the party would bring a special resolution on the issue of 'vote chori' in the next session.
Neglect of Sports and Environmental Crisis Highlighted
Hooda contrasted the current administration's approach with the previous Congress government's record, particularly on sports. He claimed that Haryana's national standing in sports soared due to their policies, which included building more than 300 stadiums. He alleged that these facilities are now in a dilapidated condition under the Nayab Singh Saini-led government.
He pointed to the tragic deaths of two young state players, Hardik and Aman, as a direct result of government negligence. A motion to discuss this issue was also rejected, Hooda said.
On the environmental front, Hooda emphasized that the Congress had moved a short-duration discussion motion concerning the Aravalli range, which the government again evaded. He cited the Forest Survey of India report, warning that the destruction of the Aravallis would have the severest impact on Haryana, leading to increased pollution and the loss of the state's vital "lungs."
A Pattern of Evasion, Alleges Opposition
The press meet served as a platform for the opposition to consolidate its accusation that the BJP government is avoiding accountability. By shutting down all avenues for discussion on topics ranging from youth unemployment and farmer distress to corruption and environmental degradation, Hooda framed the government's actions as fundamentally undemocratic and dismissive of the people's welfare. The stage is now set for further confrontation in the upcoming assembly sessions.
