Haryana CM booed in Modi’s presence
KAITHAL (HARYANA): Jeered by a crowd while sharing stage with the Prime Minister on his own turf, Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda hit out at Narendra Modi for ‘turning a government programme it into a BJP rally’.
“If it (booing) happens again, I will not attend any such function with Prime Minister Modi,” a visibly upset Hooda said at a press conference after the Kaithal rally. He regretted that an official function had been turned to a political rally.
Earlier, his speech was drowned out in the booing and jeering at the rally but he kept reading from his notes. He was heard demanding that toll tax on highways be waived by the central government.
The public function was hosted for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a national highway connecting Haryana with Rajasthan. FIGHT AGAINST GRAFT
Vowing to rid the country of the “disease” of corruption, Modi said his government will take tough measures to eliminate the menace which is “more dangerous than cancer”.
Turning his focus on development, Modi, who was on his maiden visit to the poll-bound state after becoming PM, said the infrastructure of the 20th century would not do in the 21st century as times have changed and “we will have to think ahead”.
“Rains come and roads disappear. Nobody knows where money goes .... Only road or rail network will not fulfil the infrastructure need of the 21st century. We have to lay optical fibre cable and connect our villages with gas and water grids.”
Reaching out to farmers, he announced a new irrigation scheme, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojna, saying farmers fill up granaries and his government will ensure that their pockets are also filled, which is presently not the case.