Chandigarh: Attacking the 100-day-old BJP government in Haryana, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday claimed it was "directionless" and has failed on all fronts after coming to power "accidentally".
"The BJP formed government in Haryana by a political accident and by chance... they (BJP activists) were unwilling and had no hope that they will get power," Hooda, a two time chief minister said in a reaction to BJP's 100 days in office.
Citing examples of lack of coordination, between Khattar, his ministers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hooda said, "One minister claims that there is no shortage of urea in the state, but others maintain that there is shortage". "The chief minister claims that the state has 10,000 MW power, but still farmers are not getting electricity in winter," Hooda said.
He further said, "Modi claims that Delhi is getting water, but Khattar on the other hand asserts that Haryana will not give its share of water to any other state". Alleging that there is an unrest in each section of society in the state, "One minister complains that he is not getting free hand to work while Khattar opposes it".
The former chief minister also said that the Khattar government in its first 100 days had "miserably failed" on all fronts. "This government had failed to create faith among the people of the state who feel that there is no democracy in Haryana but president's rule," he added.
He charged the Haryana government of being "directionless" and said the Congress is set to make a "comeback" in the state. He, however, said that three months were not enough to review the performance of any government so the Congress is ready to give another 100 days to it.
"If things didn't improve in the next 100 days especially power situation, then we will join protest by the people across the state," Hooda said, adding, that all sections, including farmers, traders, employees and police are unhappy with the present regime. Hitting out at the saffron party, he said it has been splitted in two different units.
"One is BJP and other is Bahari (outside) Janata Party with people like Kiran Bedi and others joining it," he said. He lambasted the NDA for making amendments in Land Acquisition law. "The amendments have made land acquisition worse than the British regime," he said.
On the issue of fresh war between Punjab and Haryana over SYL and Ravi Beas water issue with Punjab approaching the apex court, Hooda said that it is nothing but only "delaying tactics."
"We in our regime had already moved an application in the court for early hearing on presidential reference on the issue," Hooda said. There is complete lawlessness in the state, he said, adding that police was handling the job of distribution of urea and seeds rather than maintaining law and order. "The state government has rolled back the retirement age from 60 to 58 and lowered the old age pension from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,200," he said.
The Khattar government is only changing names of schemes started during the previous Congress regime and that he would launch a 'Jan Sampark' (people contact) programme from Jind in May, he said. On being asked that whether his programme will be under the aegis of HPCC, he said, "I am a loyal soldier of the party... I am sitting in the opposition and it is my responsibility to stand with the people in their time of need."
He demanded that Khattar government should bring a white paper on water and power issues in the state. When asked about a HPCC review meeting convened by CLP leader Kiran Choudhary and state party chief Ashok Tanwar here, he said that he is not going to attend it. "I have already attended a review meeting by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi," he said.
Hooda said he has invited party MLAs for a luncheon meeting here tomorrow and that he is not attending the review meeting. Congress has 15 MLAs in the 90 member assembly. Refuting factionalism within the Congress, Hooda said, "Congress is united in Haryana". He reiterated that the matter of government's proposal to include 'Bhagwat Gita' in school curriculum should not be "politicised."
"People have faith in Gita and it should not be used for political purposes," he added.
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