launching a scathing attack on the Opposition on corruption, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Thursday said Haryana has got an honest and transparent Government under Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar after a long time.
“The BJP has provided a corruption-free and stable Government in Haryana and the country, and its governance model is to ensure equal development for all,” said Shah while addressing party’s 'Yuva Hunkar Rally' at Pandu Pindara village in Jind district.
Accusing the Congress of indulging in big scams during its tenure, the BJP chief said that the central funds used to go down the gutter of corruption under the Congress rule.
“Congress is asking us from where we get so much money to give to the states. The difference between BJP and Congress is that they distributed the money to their cronies and we give it from Centre to states," said Shah.
“In this state, Chief Ministers have gone to jail for corruption and here is Chief Minister Khattar against whom not even a single charge of corruption has been leveled,” said he, launching a veiled attack on former Chief Minister and Indian National lok Dal (INlD) chief OP Chautala, who along with his son Ajay Chautala is currently serving 10-year jail sentence after being convicted, in teacher recruitment scam in Haryana.
Chief Minister Manohar lal, his ministerial colleagues, party legislators and workers had reached the rally venue riding motorbikes. BJP leaders claimed that over a lakh bikers participated in the rally, seen as an attempt by the BJP to consolidate its hold on Jind and adjoining areas including Rohtak and Sonepat, strongholds of the predominant Jat community in the state.
Referring to the protests held by opposition parties to oppose BJP’s rally, Shah said, “We all are dedicated workers of BJP and there is no need to give any account of our works to the Congress. I have come here to give an account of the works done by BJP Government for the people of the state”.
Shah claimed that Haryana has got liberal funds from the Centre under the Narendra Modi Government and the Khattar government is giving a transparent regime to ensure all-round development in the state.
Quoting statistics of the 13th Finance Commission, Amit Shah said Haryana got a grant of Rs 14,900 crore under it when there was Congress Government both in the state and at the Centre. But now under the BJP Government, the state has received a grant of Rs 42,000 crore under the 14th Finance Commission which is about Rs 27,000 crore more, added he.
Hitting out at former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Shah said that he would give account of every single penny to him if Hooda has the guts to listen to him.
Continuing his tirade against the Congress, he said, “Rs 12 lakh crore worth scams and corruption had happened during Congress-led governments at the Centre and in Haryana and they were shown the door by the people of this country. We have been in power for four years now, but even our opponents have not been able to level any corruption charge against us.”
Sounding the poll bugle for 2019 general elections, Amit Shah urged the party workers to not leave any stone unturned in ensuring the saffron splash and ensure all 10 seats in Haryana to the BJP.
The ruling BJP has seven members, INlD has two and the Congress has one in lok Sabha from Haryana.
The BJP now has government in 19 states across the country. Wait for result of recent elections and the figure will rise to 21, added Shah.
Earlier, describing Haryana as the land of warriors, farmers, sportspersons and youth, Shah said the people gave a massive mandate to BJP at the Centre and in the state in 2014. All people living in the rural areas, including farmers and the poor, now feel that the present government belongs to them, said he.
Praising the Khattar government, the BJP chief said, Haryana Government is working on the mantra of Sabka Sath-Sabka Vikas. The new initiatives taken by Manohar lal, be it online transfer of teachers, transparency in recruitment, e-stamping or successful implementation of the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao programme, all are being praised by all at every fora, he added.
Referring to budget 2018-19, he further said, Modi Government has announced in the budget that the MSP for crops would be set at 1.5 times the cost of cultivation.
Modi Governmenr has also fulfilled the promise made to the ex-servicemen by implementing One Rank-One Pension scheme in one year. Apart from this, the Union Government has also announced Ayushman Bharat Scheme to provide quality and affordable health care to nearly 50 crore people, he said.
The BJP chief added Prime Minister Modi wants to create an India "as dreamt by our freedom fighters, our brave soldiers defending our borders, the poor, farmers and school going girls".
Meanwhile, foundation stone laying ceremony of 17 party offices across the state was also held at the rally and Shah inaugurated one office in Jind.
Amit Shah had also camped for three days in Rohtak in August last year as part of his country-wide tour to strategise and find ways to strengthen the party at the grass-root level.