Khattar targets INLD, Congress on corruption, SYL canal
CHANDIGARH: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday launched a multi-barrel offensive against the combative Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and the Congress, in an attempt to demolish the opposition on twin issues — peasantry and corruption.
Wrapping up the discussion on the governor’s address, Khattar, who is otherwise known for calm persona, displayed an unusual aggression and skill during his two-and-a-half-hour address that INLD and the Congress disrupted frequently by raising counter questions against almost every issue that the CM touched upon.
The INLD, Khattar said, was sticking to the emotive Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue in the vain hope of returning to power. “For the INLD, SYL stands for Satta Yun Loonga,” said Khattar, who peppered his speech with sarcasm to attack the INLD particularly, amid treasury benches thumping the benches.
He said the INLD was instigating the farmers and using the SYL canal issue as a ladder to come to power.
“Those who were neck deep in the ocean of corruption are accusing us of indulging in corruption,” Khattar said, referring to the Congress. “During the Congress’ decade long rule in Haryana, the catch word used to be BBC — badli, bharti and CLU,” he said, pointing out that eliminating corruption in recruitment and transfers was one of the main achievements of his government.
INLD STAGES WALKOUT
Right from the beginning, the INLD kept disrupting the CM’s address. Finally, the INLD staged a walkout on the ground that his reply on law and order was unsatisfactory.
Transparency in governance, steps to eradicate corruption, clean administration, SYL canal, reforms in power sector, agriculture and equal development of every region of the state were among the over dozen-odd issues on which Khattar dwelt at length.
“A strong message has gone out that now jobs are given only on merit. This government represents 2.5 crore people of Haryana. We believe in Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” he said.
“Earlier, there was a perception that more development works remained concentrated in regions from where chief ministers came,” he said. “I have told people in my constituency that development works in Karnal will happen in the same manner as in the rest of Haryana,” he said.
Asking the opposition to stick to constructive criticism, he said opposition parties even tried to make an issue when the governor said that some part of his address speech on the opening day of the assembly be treated as read.
“The opposition should play its role constructively,” he said.
Khattar claimed that out of the 4,500 CM’s announcements, work on 3,200 had either been completed or nearing completion.
INLD’s Abhay Chautala had sought that a complete record pertaining to these announcements be placed before the House.
‘10 SAAL WALA GHAR’
Taking a dig at the INLD on the corruption issue, Khattar said his government has been taking every decision as per the law. The BJP leaders, he said, would not want to go to what he said: “10 saal wala ghar,”
He was referring to the imprisonment of INLD supremo OP Chautala in a recruitment scam. “10 saal wala ghar hamein yaad aata hai,” he said looking straight towards the leader of Opposition Abhay Chautala