Leader of Opposition in Haryana Assembly and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda termed three month old coalition Government of BJP-JJP as non-functional and said, he has been wondering when this Government would start working?
He says, he has been raising the issue of corruption since long and had stated on several occasions about rampant corruption in various departments of the State Government. As MLAs of coalition partner too are raising corruption issue, it should be investigated thoroughly.
Hooda who won in the 2019 Haryana Assembly election from the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi seat, said there has been dissatisfaction among the MLAs of coalition partner and independent MLAs since the formation of the coalition Government in the State. He said the mandate given by the people was against the BJP Government but the coalition Government was formed against public sentiments.
In an interview with The Pioneer, Hooda assesses the coalition Government, Delhi Assembly election and the issues to be raised in the upcoming budget session.
Excerpts from the interview:
JJP MLAs say there is a corruption in various departments of the State government. How do you see this?
I have been raising the issue of corruption since long. Now MLAs of JJP and independent MLA too are raising it. This is a serious matter which the government should take seriously and conduct a thorough investigation promptly. Those who are involved in corruption should be punished. The allegations leveled against former minister Manish Grover by Independent MLA Balraj Kundu of Meham are also serious and needs to be investigated.
JJP MLAs say that people’s concerns are not redressed in their constituency. How are Congress MLAs placed?
We are in politics for the people. Whosoever wins the election and form the Government, public should not suffer. As JJP MLAs have raised this issue, government should take it seriously.
Three MLAs supporting government--Ram Kumar Gautam and Devendra Babli of JJP and Independent Balraj Kundu have posed a threat to the coalition government. Do you think BJP-JJP government will complete its five year tenure?
It is well-known to all how MLAs of coalition partners are coming out openly against the government and their leadership. A coalition has been formed by rejecting the mandate, which has nothing to do with the common people. Such a Government would soon fall under its own weight and there is no need to topple it.
Congress leaders have accused the then BJP government of its failure to tackle the Jat reservation agitation-2016. 54 accused who set fire to the house of former Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu in Rohtak have been reported to be forgiven. What’s your comment?
We welcome all the moves taken by the Jat leaders for the betterment of the people.
How do you assess three months of this coalition Government?
Instead of public interest, the government is taking decisions that is of no use to the people. Till now the Government has neither set its direction nor taken any major steps to improve the condition of the people. This Government has no work to show in three months.
How do you see the role of Congress in Delhi Assembly elections?
Many Haryana Congress leaders including me would start campaigning for the party candidates in Delhi from February 2.
People of Haryana origin in Delhi will support Congress party candidates. People are fed up with BJP as it fails to meet the expectation of the common people. I am sure that people would support Congress and it will form the government in Delhi.
Recently senior leaders of various political parties made controversial and communal statements during their rallies. Being a former chief minister and senior politicians of the country, what would you say to these leaders?
I would only say election should be fought on issues. No one should make statements which divide people on the basis of caste and religion. Bitterness was being spread among people by the particular party leaders to divert attention from these issues. Voters should be cautious while exercising their votes.
What are the issues which Congress will raise in the forthcoming Budget session of Haryana Assembly?
Government has no industrial policy to attract investors and generate employment. There has been economic slowdown over the past many months. Besides, poverty and unemployment are increasing with each passing day and farmers were suffering. Issues related to farmers, traders, employees, dearness, unemployment among others will be raised during the session.
State government has planned to shutdown around 1025 schools where numbers of students are not as per set guidelines. Your comment.
It is against the interest of the people, especially poor. The children of poor section of the society study in government schools. In such a situation, the government should not close these schools.
Why do you often ask when will the BJP-JJP led coalition government start working?
Around a month ago, there was hailstorm in many places and government’s presence among the farmers was invisible. The cost for growing sugarcane increased but the rate has not yet been raised. The situation is such that the government is selling the land of the mill to meet the losses of the Palwal sugar mill. This government has become direction less. The government is engaged only in the transfer of officers, they do not take care in solving the problem. Moreover, the coalition government has been in power for almost three months, but till date Common Minimum Programme (CMP) has not been decided. This government is directionless, it has no minimum common programme, but just talks about it.
Government claims law and order are under control and they have succeeded in putting check on crime. How do you see their claims?
As per data of various departments including NCRB, the state which was number one in terms of development earlier, is now number one in the case of crime. As per reports, murders, rapes and kidnapping cases are reported daily in the State. Everyday incidents of some kind harassment with women are increasing. Large numbers of Vehicles are stolen daily. There is an increase in incidents of theft, robbery, robbery and extortion. Haryana leads the country in kidnapping of children. Haryana also ranks third in the country in terms of riots.
