The Haridwar district Congress leaders alleged that the BJP-led NDA Government is not assisting the State Government regarding the preparations for the Ardh-Kumbh to be held in January 2016. It was also alleged that BJP is doing cheap politics about the Ganga-cleansing project.
They staged a rally that started from the Nagar Nigam main gate and ended at Devpura chowk. Among those who led the rally was the State Congress president Kishore Upadhaya. A meeting was held at Mayapur.
Former MlA of Haridwar Ambrish Kumar said the Centre is not extending any assistance to the State Government for the Ardh-Kumbh preparations. “This is a despicable instance of sectarian brand of politics. All our appeals for funds are falling on deaf ears.
The State Government has taken numerous initiatives by way of building up infrastructure keeping in view the expected large pilgrim footfalls during the religious congregation.
However, the fund crunch is coming in the way. There are some such projects which are incomplete because of the Centre’s refusal to clear the required funds,” he said.
He added late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had envisioned the Ganga-cleansing project way back in 1980s. Ganga Action Plan was conceived in 1985 at the behest of the late PM.
However, this Government at the Centre seems to have only one agenda and that is to scoff at the plans envisioned by our late leader, the Congress leader said.
In his address, Kishore Upadhaya said his party would not allow BJP to take the people for a ride. “They are befooling the people and we are determined to expose them,” he added.
Many important district Congress leaders like Haridwar town party president O P Chauhan, Satpal Brahamchari, former chairman of Nagar Palika, Roshan lal Pradhan, Jagat Singh Rawat, Murli Manohar, Ravi Arora and Kiran Singh were present.