Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to hold a debate in Haryana, offering to arrange a venue for the proposed face-off with the state’s BJP Yuva Morcha president.
Responding to Gandhi’s reported challenge for a debate, Saini said the Congress leader could come to Haryana, where the BJP youth wing chief would put questions to him. He accused Gandhi of making allegations without being willing to face questions in return.
Speaking to reporters at Haryana Niwas in Chandigarh on Friday, November 6, Saini also asked the Congress to approach the Election Commission or the courts if it had concerns about the electoral process.
Saini Asks Congress To Approach Election Commission Over ‘Vote Theft’ Claims
Saini said the Election Commission was an independent institution and that legal remedies were available to parties questioning the electoral process. He argued that making allegations in public was not a substitute for filing complaints through the prescribed channels.
The chief minister claimed that the Congress was trying to mislead people by raising the issue of ‘vote theft’ and questioning the credibility of democratic institutions. He said electoral rolls were available in the public domain and that voters had been given a month to raise objections or seek corrections through the prescribed forms.
Saini rejected the allegations of vote theft and accused the Congress of using the issue to divert attention from its own political shortcomings. These remarks reflect the chief minister’s response to the Congress’s claims; the allegations and their merits were not independently examined in his press interaction.
Saini Targets Congress Over Poverty, Pensions And Welfare Schemes
The Haryana CM also criticised the Congress over its record on welfare delivery, particularly pensions and benefits for economically weaker sections.
He alleged that during Congress rule, elderly beneficiaries sometimes waited for months to receive their pensions and had to visit government offices to resolve delays. He contrasted that with the direct transfer of welfare benefits into bank accounts under the Narendra Modi-led government.
Saini further claimed that the Congress had relied on the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’ for decades without bringing enough people out of poverty. Citing government figures, he said more than 50 crore people had moved out of poverty over the past 12 years.
He also referred to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, saying farmers had received around Rs 7.5 lakh crore through 24 instalments. Saini rejected claims that the Centre intended to discontinue the Minimum Support Price (MSP), arguing that MSP rates had been increased over the years.
Saini Questions AAP And Congress Promises To Women
Taking aim at the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress, Saini raised the issue of the promised monthly financial assistance for women in Punjab.
He questioned why the AAP government had not delivered on its promise of providing Rs 1,000 to women during most of its five-year term and was discussing the transfer of the amount only as the next election approached.
Saini contrasted this with Haryana’s scheme under which eligible households with an annual income of up to Rs 1.8 lakh can receive LPG cylinders for Rs 500. He also accused the previous Congress government of announcing 100-square-yard plots for poor families without ensuring that beneficiaries received the necessary documents and possession.
Haryana CM Claims Farmers Receive Crop Payments Within 48-72 Hours
Saini also compared the crop procurement and payment systems in Haryana and Punjab, claiming that farmers in Haryana receive payments within 48 to 72 hours of procurement.
He said that if payment is delayed beyond 72 hours, farmers are entitled to interest along with the amount due. He alleged that farmers in Punjab continued to face difficulties in selling their produce and receiving payments, despite assurances made by AAP leaders.
The chief minister also criticised the Punjab government over its response to a disease outbreak among livestock during a natural disaster. He said Haryana had offered to send doctors and medicines to help treat affected animals, but the Punjab government did not grant permission.
Saini described the matter as a humanitarian concern rather than a political issue. He also referred to central assistance announced for Punjab and Himachal Pradesh following the natural disaster, while raising questions about the utilisation of funds in Punjab.
Saini Calls For Equal Development Across Haryana
The chief minister accused the Congress of favouring certain regions during its tenure and claimed that development funds had not been distributed equitably across Haryana. He said his government was working towards balanced development across the state.
Saini also commented on Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, saying he held her in high regard. Referring to an incident in Parliament involving her seating, he said senior leaders should be treated with the dignity and respect associated with their political stature.
Cabinet Minister Krishan Bedi, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and other senior officials were present during the interaction.
