Congress Leader Hooda Launches Fierce Critique of BJP's Budget Management in Haryana
In a strongly worded address this Sunday, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda delivered a sharp rebuke to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government in Haryana. The senior Congress figure accused the BJP administration of employing the state budget as a deceptive instrument to mislead the general public, highlighting a growing disconnect between governance and public welfare.
Ignored Recommendations and Economic Decline
Hooda emphasized that despite the Congress party submitting numerous public-centric recommendations in response to repeated calls for budget suggestions, the BJP has systematically disregarded these proposals. This persistent neglect, according to the opposition leader, has directly contributed to the continuous deterioration of Haryana's economic health. This is why the state's economy is continuously deteriorating, Hooda stated, pointing to alarming financial indicators.
The veteran politician presented stark figures to underscore his argument: Debt is skyrocketing, and no constructive work is being done. Haryana's economy is lagging behind on every parameter. He revealed that from the state's formation until 2014, Haryana accumulated a debt of only Rs 70,000 crore. However, under the current BJP regime, this debt has ballooned to a staggering Rs 5 lakh crore—a dramatic increase that raises serious questions about fiscal management.
Questioning Expenditure and Development Stagnation
Hooda posed a critical question regarding this massive debt accumulation: The question is, where has the debt of lakhs of crores of rupees been spent? He noted that over the past eleven years, the government has failed to initiate significant development projects. Specifically, Hooda highlighted that no major industries have been established, no substantial projects launched, no major universities or institutions built, metro networks remain unextended, and no new railway lines have been laid.
According to the Congress leader, the public already knows the answer to where these funds have gone: the BJP government squandered the hard-earned money of the people through scams. This allegation points to widespread public skepticism about the administration's financial integrity and prioritization of development.
Congress Shifts Strategy on Budget Engagement
In response to what he described as empty gestures of consultation, Hooda announced that Congress MLAs will no longer participate in what he termed the pretence of providing budget suggestions beforehand. Instead, the opposition will reserve its reaction until after the budget is formally presented. This strategic shift reflects growing frustration with what Hooda sees as performative politics rather than substantive governance.
Hooda drew parallels with previous administrations, noting that when Manohar Lal served as both Chief Minister and Finance Minister, he similarly solicited opposition suggestions only to ignore them completely in the final budget. Now, the new CM is also resorting to event management instead of working and making decisions in the public interest, Hooda remarked, suggesting a pattern of superficial engagement over genuine collaboration.
Conditional Support and Continued Advocacy
The opposition leader did leave room for potential cooperation, stating: If the government brings a budget that is in the interest of all sections of society, instead of playing politics, the opposition will also appreciate it. However, he made clear that the Congress party remains committed to vigorously advocating for public issues within the Legislative Assembly, regardless of the budget's content.
This comprehensive critique from Hooda underscores deepening political tensions in Haryana as budget discussions intensify. The allegations of fiscal mismanagement, ignored recommendations, and questionable debt utilization present significant challenges for the BJP government as it prepares its financial plans. The Congress party's renewed focus on post-budget responses indicates a strategic pivot toward holding the administration accountable for actual outcomes rather than participatory processes.
