In Pataudi rally, Cong says budget freebies are all hollow promises

The Congress on Saturday organised a rally at Ramleela Maidan in Pataudi to display its strength in southern Haryana in the run-up to the upcoming general election.

Workers and supporters from Mewat, Gurugram and Rewari came to hear their party leaders, who focussed on the poor and farmers during their speeches.

The party said that the freebies announced in the Union budget were nothing but hollow promises and that none of them would be delivered if the BJP loses in the general election.

Addressing the gathering, state party president Ashok Tanwar announced that if his party comes to power, it would writeoff the loans of farmers and families living under the poverty line. He also promised to increase the pension for the old and to reduce GST rates to help smaller and middle-class traders.

Former deputy chief minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD) leader Tejashvi Yadav, who attended the rally, alleged that decision to ban notes was a “scam” perpetrated on the people, while the introduction of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) has broken the back of smalltime businessmen.

Former minister Captain Ajay Singh Yadav, who organised the rally to stamp his claim from the Gurugram Lok Sabha constituency, said that none of the promises made by the BJP to Gurugram or south Haryana had been fulfilled.

He said,“When the Congress comes to power, the Kherki Daula toll would be shifted; a medical college and an AIIMS institute would be set up in the city,” he said.

Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) spokesperson Raman Malik said that allegations levelled by a party that could not win a bypoll, despite utilising all it resources, did not carry much substance.

“The BJP has delivered on all its previous promises. The party will once again win the next general elections,” Malik said.