Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has taken a strong stance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana, accusing the state government of driving the state into a crisis of unemployment, crime, and drugs. As the Haryana Assembly elections approach, Gandhi’s statements, made during the Vijay Sankalp Yatra and shared on social media, highlight the deepening rivalry between the BJP and Congress in the state.
Gandhi pointed out that under the BJP’s decade-long rule, Haryana now holds the unfortunate title of having the highest unemployment rate in India. He blamed several of the BJP’s policies, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetization, which he argued hurt small businesses and employment opportunities for the youth. He also took aim at the Agniveer recruitment scheme, claiming it discouraged young people who were preparing for army careers. Furthermore, the Congress leader criticized the “black laws” in agriculture and the implementation of the Parivar Pehchan Patra scheme, which he says has negatively impacted government recruitment and shattered families financially.
Gandhi did not stop at policy critique. He linked the unemployment crisis to the rising crime rate and the growing problem of drug addiction, particularly among Haryana’s youth. He emphasized that the BJP’s mismanagement is pushing talented youth towards crime and addiction, further eroding the state’s social fabric. Reflecting on his interactions with locals during the Vijay Sankalp Yatra, Gandhi shared his experience of meeting women in Haryana who expressed their concerns over the state’s deteriorating condition under the BJP regime.
The Congress party’s solution, Gandhi promised, would be to recruit 2 lakh permanent jobs, make the state drug-free, and restore opportunities for the youth. He also reiterated that Congress would prioritize social welfare by offering monthly financial assistance to women, reducing gas prices, and providing extensive health insurance coverage if it returns to power.
The backdrop of this political rivalry in Haryana is significant. The BJP, under the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has been trying to consolidate its position, focusing on infrastructure and development as key talking points. However, the BJP faces challenges due to public dissatisfaction with rising unemployment and the perception that the state’s crime rates are increasing, especially related to drugs and youth violence.
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Haryana’s upcoming elections on October 5 are set to be a high-stakes battle between Congress and BJP, with both parties offering sharply contrasting visions for the state’s future. Gandhi’s aggressive critique of the BJP’s policies and his promises for reform indicate that Congress is positioning itself as the party that can reverse the economic and social issues plaguing the state under the BJP’s rule.