Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the Congress at election rallies in poll-bound Haryana, accusing the grand old party of running a corrupt regime before the BJP came to power in the state. Shah’s rally, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charges, focused on the alleged “dealers, dalals (brokers), and damaads (sons-in-law)” who he claimed dominated the state during the Congress rule.
At a rally in Rewari, Shah criticised the Congress’s previous government, calling it a period marked by “cuts, commission, and corruption.” He asserted that under the BJP, such practices have been eradicated. “The rule of dealers, brokers, and sons-in-law is over. The BJP has wiped out corruption, and there’s no question of such figures in our administration,” Shah declared.
Amit Shah also took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, particularly over the issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, a critical election topic in the largely agrarian state. He accused the Congress of deceiving farmers with false promises. “Rahul Baba, do you even know the full form of MSP? Do you know the difference between Kharif and Rabi crops? Congress should stop lying to farmers in the name of MSP,” Shah said, challenging Gandhi’s understanding of agriculture.
He further asserted that the BJP government in Haryana procures 24 types of crops at MSP, a record unmatched by any Congress government. “Which Congress government has ever purchased 24 crops at MSP?” he questioned, urging the Opposition to clarify their track record on supporting farmers.
Continuing his onslaught, Shah addressed the internal rift within the Congress, particularly between senior leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja. Speaking at a rally in Ladwa, Kurukshetra, he remarked on the ongoing friction, saying, “Even today, Congress is in disarray. Bhupinder Hooda does not want Dalit leader Kumari Selja to campaign in his area. She wants to campaign, but they won’t invite her because Hooda fears he will lose the election if she does.”
In contrast, Shah highlighted the BJP’s commitment to Dalit representation by pointing to their decision to field a Dalit woman candidate in the elections, showcasing the party’s respect for the community. A day after Rahul Gandhi addressed two rallies in Haryana, Shah also revisited Rahul Gandhi’s controversial remarks on reservation during his visit to the United States, accusing him of attempting to undermine SC/ST and OBC quotas. “Rahul Baba went to America and said in English that they will end the reservation for SC, ST, and OBC communities. Let me be clear, as long as there is even one BJP MP in Parliament, no one can touch the reservation system,” Shah asserted.
The MSP debate has become a central issue in the Haryana elections, with Congress promising a legal guarantee for MSP if it is voted into power. In response, Shah claimed the BJP government has been more proactive in supporting farmers than Congress ever was.
In Ladwa, Shah in a veiled attack also took a dig at former chief minister and INLD leader OP Chautala and former INLD MLA from Ladwa Sher Singh Barshami saying, “Shah said, “The prominent leaders and even the Chief Minister here went to jail for 10 years over corruption in job appointments. But the BJP governed for 10 years without anyone needing bribes or recommendations. Earlier, during Hooda’s government, brokers used to bring appointment letters. But under the BJP government, the brokers and dealers are gone; now, the postman delivers the appointment letter at the door steps of the selected candidates.”