Trying to score a hat-trick in the Assembly polls in Haryana, the Congress is gearing up for a mega show of strength at its State-level rally to be organised in Panipat on August 24.
Besides presenting its report card of the development works undertaken by the State Government during the last ten years, the party will showcase its vision for next five years to put Haryana on international map in terms of development.
“The party is gearing up for the rally to be held on August 24 at Panipat. A meeting is convened next week to finalise the report card and manifesto of the party,” said Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda while addressing a press conference after Haryana Cabinet meeting on Tuesday here. Hooda said that Haryana has reached to number one position from number 14th during the last nine years and now his aim would be to include Haryana in the list of developed states across the globe.
Reacting sharply to the allegations leveled by BJP leader Capt. Abhimanyu about misappropriation of funds of External Development Charges (EDC), the Chief Minister denied the allegations saying that this fund is utilized for development purposes and everything has been done as per the policy.
The fund has been used judiciously and nobody has given waiver. The opposition does not have any issue to raise in the elections and leveling such allegations, he added.
On the ongoing controversy of constitution of separate Haryana Gurudwara Management Committee, Hooda said that we have given due right to Haryana’s Sikhs by forming separate committee and would defend the decision in the Court.
Responding to the statement made by Rajya Sabha member Birender Singh in which he challenged Hooda to contest election against him from Uchana assembly segment, the Chief Minister taking a dig at Birender said that he should first decide about himself. On being asked to comment whether the Congress would be weakened with the exit of Birender Singh from the party, Hooda added that Congress is in a strong position.
Refraining from commenting on his opponents and rival political parties, Hooda said that Congress would compete with the party which would be at number two in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha elections. Congress would remain on the top and form the government in the state.
On the issue of declining popularity of Congress and high popularity of Hooda among people as per pre-poll surveys, he said that if he is acceptable to the people then Congress party is automatically acceptable to the people.