Chandigarh, October 21
As the BJP government in Haryana completed two years of its third term, senior Congress leaders questioned its performance, stating that there is a clear gap between the tall promises made during the elections and the problems currently faced by the people. Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narender Singh addressed a press conference in Sirsa, Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda held one in Delhi, Congress MP Kumari Selja addressed the media in Chandigarh and MP Deepender Singh Hooda held a press conference in Rohtak to raise questions about the government’s two-year tenure.
Congress leaders criticised the government over law and order, farmers’ distress, unemployment, corruption, alleged scams, healthcare services, drug abuse and issues related to electoral rolls. State Congress President Rao Narender Singh said that instead of merely making claims about its achievements, the government must present a factual account of its election promises before the people.
Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narender Singh said that two years of the BJP government’s third term had been completed, yet people in the state continued to grapple with crime, unemployment, farmers’ distress, corruption and the deteriorating state of public services. During the Assembly elections, the BJP had made major promises to every section of society. The government must now clarify how many promises have been fulfilled, how many are under implementation, and what timelines have been set for completing the remaining commitments.
Questioning the state of healthcare services, Rao Narender Singh said the government must also disclose the actual status of its promise to provide free dialysis to all patients. It must clarify how many hospitals offer this facility and how many patients have benefited. Strengthening healthcare services and protecting young people from drug abuse should be government priorities. Effective arrangements are needed for drug prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and action against illegal drug trafficking.
On corruption, the State Congress President said allegations of irregularities involving municipal corporations, paddy procurement, MGNREGA and other government systems must be investigated impartially. Facts relating to the misuse of public funds, land-related disputes, alleged land mafias and illegal mining must be made public transparently. Wherever irregularities are established, responsibility must be fixed and appropriate action taken. Illegal mining is also a serious concern for natural resources and the environment.
Questioning the Chief Minister, Rao Narender Singh said the people of Haryana had entrusted him with the responsibility of governing the state, but it appeared that his political engagements were giving greater priority to Punjab politics than to Haryana’s problems. Haryana needs a full-time Chief Minister, not a part-time one. The Chief Minister should remain actively engaged in the state, listen to the concerns of farmers, youth, traders, employees and ordinary citizens, and work to resolve them. Accountability to the people of Haryana must remain his foremost responsibility.
Rao Narender Singh said that the progress, approvals, budgets and timelines of major projects, including the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, Vande Bharat services, four rapid rail routes, the Intercity Express Metro and the proposed 10,000-acre Aravalli Jungle Safari Park in southern Haryana, must also be made public. The government should explain how much work has been completed on these projects and when the public can expect to benefit from them.
Rao Narender Singh also demanded an impartial investigation into questions surrounding alleged vote theft and irregularities in electoral rolls. He said protecting every eligible citizen’s right to vote was a fundamental responsibility in a democracy. Transparency and impartial investigations into complaints related to electoral rolls are essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda questioned the BJP government’s two-year performance during a press conference in Delhi. He said farmers, youth, employees, traders and ordinary citizens were facing numerous problems in the state. The government must account for its election promises and actual performance. Announcements alone are not enough; people need concrete results on employment, law and order, farmers’ incomes, healthcare facilities and corruption.
Congress MP Kumari Selja said during a press conference in Chandigarh that the actual status of election promises relating to financial assistance for women, free medical treatment, employment, housing, MSP for farmers, social security and education must be made public. The government should release details of the number of beneficiaries, budget allocations and progress achieved under each commitment. People deserve tangible results rather than announcements.
Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda said during a press conference in Rohtak that young people in Haryana deserved employment, farmers deserved fair prices for their crops, and ordinary citizens deserved a safe environment. Addressing concerns over crime, gangster activities, drug abuse and unemployment must be a priority for the government.
