BJP govt expert in event management, says Hooda
Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda alleged on Sunday that the BJP government in Rajasthan failed to fulfil promises and bring in investments to generate employment but was an expert in event management.
“This is not a performing government but an event management government,” Hooda told newspersons at the state Congress office here.
People gave a big mandate to the BJP in 2013 – the party won 161 of the 200 assembly seats in the state -- but in four years the Congress won bypolls to four assembly constituencies (out of six) and two Lok Sabha seats, he said. “This proves that people are miffed with the BJP and are in support of the Congress.”
The economic condition of the state has deteriorated and government losses have doubled in the last five years, Hooda said, adding that no new projects were started, rather the ongoing ones were stalled. “The GDP of the state in 2012-13 was 13.65%, which came down to 10.66% in 2017-18,” he claimed. Hooda alleged that more than 100 debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide in the state. The loan waiver scheme of the government has proved to be a failure as it covers farm loans from ~ 5000 to ~50,000 and Kissan cards were not considered, he said.
“They promised to purchase
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farm produce at MSP and provide permanent infrastructure, but 90% of millet has not been purchased,” Hooda said. “They are cheating farmers in the name of PM crop insurance scheme; it is helping companies, not farmers.”
Hooda said law and order is deteriorating in Rajasthan. “The state stands second in human trafficking, eighth in kidnapping and murder, fourth in cyber crimes, and third on atrocities against Dalits.”
On the party’s CM face and whether state Congress chief Sachin Pilot and ex-CM Ashok Gehlot would contest elections, Hooda said, “Congress has its rules. Our face is people and after winning elections, it is the MLAs and high command who decide the CM.” He said it is not necessary to contest assembly election to become the chief minister. “I was Member of Parliament in 2005 when I became the chief minister.” On the Congress stand on Ram Mandir, he said the BJP remembers the issue only during elections. “BJP makes promises but forgets after coming to government.”
Reacting to the Congress’ allegations, BJP spokesperson Mukesh Pareek said the BJP government’s work for farmers is “historic”, be it loan waiver or purchase of produce at MSP. “Farmers were provided electricity for the maximum time. Youths were provided employment through skill development and Mudra scheme which benefitted over 15 lakh. The state was in a poor shape due to financial mismanagement of Congress government. It was BJP’s good management that improved the condition.”