In a scathing attack on the Congress, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Friday accused four former Prime Ministers of the main opposition party of befooling the people through their Garibi Hatao slogan.
Manohar Lal while addressing a ‘Vijay Sankalp Rally’ in Kaimri village of the district, said that the Congress has all these years given only the Garibi Hatao slogan and done nothing on the ground.
Manohar Lal said that the slogan was coined by Jawaharlal Lal Nehru and later adopted by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh.
The same slogan has now been adopted by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said Manohar while adding that the party has only misled the people by the attractive slogan.
He said that for the five decades, Congress ruled at the Centre, but they never thought about the welfare of the poor. Congress has used the poor as a vote bank in every election, the Chief Minister said.
He also blamed the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for the Kashmir problem.
Blaming Nehru for the Kashmir crisis, Manohar Lal said, “Had Sardar Vallabhai Patel been Prime Minister after Independence there would have been no place for terrorism in Kashmir. These mistakes were committed by the Congress, which we have to bear today. Now if son-of-the-soil Narendra Modi has come forward to rectify these mistakes, there is talk of human rights violation. If anyone talks about the country's division and raises slogans, is this human right? Congress has failed to understand this,” he said.
Continuing his tirade against the Congress, Manohar Lal said that the Congress manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections is also hollow. It has no concrete details for eradication of poverty, protecting the security and integrity of the country or working of the welfare of various sections of the society, he said.
He further said that the Congress in its manifesto has advocated the cause of anti-national elements and hurt the morale of army personnel.
The Chief Minister said that the Narendra Modi led BJP government at the Centre gave a free hand to the Army to take appropriate action in the wake of the Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy.
The defence forces in a well planned operation entered Pakistan and not only successfully destroyed terrorist camps but also neutralised terrorists, he added.
He further said that the people of the country have to decide whether they want the present government, which provided development, security and stability to continue, or want the government run by Congress which speaks of breaking the country and supports separatists.
Manohar Lal said that the voters in Haryana will also have to take a judicious decision on electing the new government keeping in mind the track record of the BJP by ensuring the return of Chowkidar Narendar Modi and that of the Congress.
The Congress with its promise of removing AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir wants to weaken the security scenario in the sensitive state and demoralise the army personnel deployed there, he added.
“Do stone throwers only have human rights? Do Army personnel not have human rights to be protected?” the Chief Minister asked.
Detailing out the development and other works undertaken by the BJP government in Haryana, Manohar Lal said that the rule of law had been restored, transparency in giving employments had been ensured and welfare of all sections of the society, including women, youth, farmers, employees and senior citizens done.
He also targeted the Congress on the internal bickering it was facing due to various factions with respect to the appointment of Leader of Opposition which the INLD lost after two of its MLAs joined the BJP.
Manohar Lal said that CLP leader Kiran Choudhury staked the claim for LoP’s post but the Haryana Congress chief rejected her claim. Congress can only day dream of getting the Chief Minister’s post, he added.
He also assured the farmers that the government will ensure that mustard is procured in totality.
Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu while addressing the rally, said that this time, Hissar will also give Lotus flower (ensure victory of BJP candidate) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2014 the BJP lost the seat, but this time the party workers will ensure victory of BJP nominee, he added.
Haryana BJP President Subhash Barala said that voters of the country have to decide who the next Prime Minister will be taking into consideration the work done by the BJP and that by the previous governments at the Centre, which mostly belonged from the Congress.
As far as the state is also concerned the people have seen the work done by Manohar Lal as Chief Minister and the work done by his predecessors is also before all, Barala said.
Among others present included Hissar MLA Kamal Gupta, former MLA Ranbir Gangwa and Rajya Sabha member D P Vats.