Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda launched a sharp attack on the Nayab Singh Saini government in Haryana. The leader of the opposition in the state assembly accused the BJP administration of breaking every promise it made to the people.
No Development, Only Debt and Disappointment
Hooda stated that the BJP government delivered neither development nor good governance. He arrived in Kurukshetra on Saturday to address a Congress training camp for district presidents. During his speech, he issued clear instructions to party leaders. He told them to prepare fully for the upcoming political battle.
The senior Congress leader asked district presidents to take key public issues to the grassroots. These issues include widespread unemployment, organised crime, drug abuse, migration, and the neglect of farmers. Hooda also highlighted the continued marginalisation of poor communities and the SC-OBC sections.
Systematic Dismantling of Progress
Hooda accused the BJP of focusing only on scams. He claimed the party actively weakened Haryana's interests. Jobs meant for the state's youth were handed over to outsiders, according to the former CM. Institutions and infrastructure created during the Congress regime were systematically dismantled.
The opposition leader presented a damning report card. He said that in the last eleven years, the BJP failed to establish any new medical college. The government did not set up a major industry, university, or IIT. No new railway or metro lines were built, and significant investments were not attracted.
Haryana's debt tells a troubling story. Hooda alleged that debt accumulated from 1966 to 2014 stood at Rs 60,000 crore. Under the BJP, this debt surged to over Rs 5 lakh crore in just eleven years.
Broken Promises to Farmers and Women
Later, at a press conference, Hooda detailed more failures. He said the BJP promised to double farmers' income by 2022. Instead, the government increased their input costs. Hooda also accused the administration of misleading women with welfare schemes.
The BJP promised Rs 2,100 per month to all women during elections, according to the Congress leader. Now, the government is limiting the benefit to a very small section. Hooda provided figures to support his claim.
In the 2024-25 period, around 2.13 crore people in Haryana fell under the Below Poverty Line category. This implies nearly 85 lakh women should be eligible for the scheme. However, the government now proposes to extend benefits to only about 8 lakh women. The amount is reduced to Rs 1,100, with Rs 1,000 to be credited directly.
Deliberate Exclusion and Policy Rollbacks
Hooda alleged that conditions related to income, children's education, and nutrition were deliberately imposed. These conditions exclude most women from the scheme. He cited the issuance of ration cards to nearly one crore people before elections. Subsequently, about 70 lakh BPL cards were cancelled. Hooda called this evidence of a deceptive policy.
The former CM also criticised changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. He said the BJP undermined the rights of Dalits, backward classes, villagers, and panchayats. Over 8 lakh workers are registered under MGNREGA in Haryana. Yet, only 2,100 families received 100 days of work in 2024-25. Unemployment compensation was not paid as mandated by law.
Rising Crime and Safety Concerns
Hooda expressed deep concern over rising organised crime in the state. He claimed that over 80 gangs are currently active. Citing the Social Progress Index, he stated that Haryana was ranked as the most unsafe state in the country.
Defending Democracy and Media Freedom
Responding to media queries, Hooda condemned alleged attempts to intimidate the Punjab Kesari Group. He stressed that a free media is absolutely essential for a functioning democracy.
The Congress leader also shared an important update. He informed the gathering that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would address party officials at the training camp on January 21.
