Both BJP workers, Haryana residents were left disappointed, says ex-CM Hooda

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday dubbed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah’s “Yuva Hunkar Rally” in Haryana’s Jind a complete failure, adding that even BJP workers and the State’s people were left disappointed.

Taking a dig at the BJP leadership for the alleged poor attendance at the rally, Mr. Hooda said vacant chairs at the venue were an indication that the masses were disillusioned with the party’s State government and were not interested in jumlas any more.

Burden on exchequer

Alleging that the State government had spent over ₹20 crore on deployment of the Central Reserve Forces alone for the rally, besides other expenditure, Mr. Hooda said it merely proved to be a burden on the exchequer of Haryana and that the common man had not benefited from it.

Had similar deployment been made for construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal, the former Haryana Chief Minister said, it would have been more beneficial for the State.

Mr. Hooda said the BJP leaders heaped praise on Haryana’s soldiers, farmers and sportsmen but did not make any announcements for their welfare.

No announcements

He said it was perhaps the first such rally of a ruling party in the political history of Haryana, wherein no announcements were made for any section of society.

Mr. Hooda said the people of Haryana wanted to know as to what was the motive behind holding the rally.

Farmers’ income

Disputing claims by BJP leaders that income of farmers had increased twofold, Mr. Hooda demanded to know the arithmetic behind it.

He claimed that farmers were not even fetching half of the price for their produce compared to what they were getting during Congress rule.