Addressing back-to-back rallies in poll-bound Haryana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched scathing attacks on Congress, Rahul Gandhi, and the Hooda family accusing them of misleading the people and indulging in corrupt practices. Shah highlighted Congress’ failures in other states, targeted their leadership, and championed BJP’s achievements under the “double-engine government” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While addressing a rally in Gurugram’s Badshahpur, Shah criticised Rahul Gandhi’s election promises, stating, “Rahul Baba’s poll guarantees have come a cropper in Himachal, Karnataka, and Telangana.” He added that the BJP only makes promises it can fulfill and pointed to the Modi government’s achievements as proof. “Rahul Baba and company cannot undertake development,” he said, emphasizing that only the BJP’s “double-engine government” can ensure Haryana’s growth.
Shah underscored BJP’s dedication to national security, protecting reservations, and preventing the reinstatement of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. He also alleged that “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans had been raised at Congress rallies and demanded that Rahul Gandhi explain why he remained silent on such incidents. He accused Congress of being disconnected from the national interest and claimed that the party’s leadership harbored intentions of restoring Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. On the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, which has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, Shah addressed the crowd, assuring that changes to the bill would be discussed in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. The Bill, he said, would be amended to address concerns while maintaining societal harmony.
Shah hailed Haryana’s contribution to the nation’s defense, remarking that every tenth soldier in the Indian Army hails from the state. He also took a dig at Congress’ long-standing failure to implement the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. “From Indira Gandhi to Manmohan Singh, Congress failed to deliver on OROP, but it was the Modi government that fulfilled this demand in 2015,” he said. Turning his focus to Rahul Gandhi’s criticisms of the Agnipath scheme, Shah called the Congress leader a “lying machine,” accusing him of spreading misinformation about the scheme. Shah reassured the crowd that every Agniveer would secure a pensionable job, urging people not to hesitate in sending their children to the Army. “After five years, there will not be a single Agniveer without a pensionable job,” he added.
Shah linked the ongoing Navratri festival to the elections, asking voters to deliver a message to Rahul Gandhi and Congress on October 5. He accused the Congress of being “blinded by appeasement” and urged the people to defend their values by voting for BJP.
The Union Home Minister reserved sharp criticism for the former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son Deepender Hooda. He accused the Congress government of nepotism, corruption, and caste-based development. “Hooda Sahab, your people are ready to exploit the system again, as seen on social media where a Congress candidate promises 50 jobs to each supporter.”
In contrast, Shah touted the BJP government’s merit-based approach, stating that 1.5 lakh jobs had been provided without any favoritism or corruption, and promised 5 lakh more merit-based jobs if BJP retains power in Haryana.
The Home Minister further highlighted the BJP’s support for Haryana’s farmers, stating that the Modi government had significantly increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 24 crops, compared to Congress’ focus only on wheat and paddy. He also emphasized that under BJP’s leadership, Haryana had received Rs 2.92 lakh crore in central assistance, a substantial increase from the Rs 41,000 crore provided during UPA rule.
Shah’s rally in Mahendragarh took on a similar tone as he criticized the internal factionalism within Congress, particularly targeting Bhupinder Hooda. He mocked the power struggle within the party, saying, “Hooda says he will become Chief Minister, but his son is also eyeing the position, claiming his father is too old. Meanwhile, leaders like Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala are also vying for the post. But, Congress won’t win, and the Chief Minister will be from BJP.” Shah contrasted the Congress’ 10-year rule marked by “family and son-in-law welfare” with BJP’s 10 years of merit-based development. He urged the people of Haryana to make the right choice between the two parties, vowing that the BJP’s clean governance would continue to bring prosperity to all sections of society.
