Amit Shah Targets Congress with Sharp Attacks as Haryana Election Battle Intensifies
As the Haryana Assembly elections draw near, political rhetoric has intensified, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah leading the charge. During a recent rally in Rewari, Shah took aim at the previous Congress government in Haryana, accusing it of fostering corruption and benefiting brokers and political insiders. Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier remarks, Shah criticized what he described as the reign of “dealers, brokers, and sons-in-law” during Congress’s tenure in power. He made it clear that, under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), such practices had been eradicated, suggesting that the state was now free from the grip of middlemen.
During the campaign speech, Shah also made direct jabs at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He argued that Gandhi had little understanding of the issues faced by farmers, particularly with respect to Minimum Support Price (MSP). Shah claimed that Congress had deceived farmers in the past and emphasized that the BJP government was actively supporting farmers by purchasing 24 different crops under MSP. In contrast, Shah challenged Congress leaders to recall any period when their administration had provided such comprehensive support to agricultural producers.
Gandhi’s recent remarks on reservation policies were another focal point of Shah’s critique. In a sharp rebuke, Shah accused Gandhi of making contradictory statements about reservations while abroad. According to Shah, Gandhi had insinuated during a U.S. visit that reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) could be eliminated. Shah reassured the audience that the BJP had no intention of ending these reservation policies, further asserting that as long as the BJP held a majority in Parliament, these protections would remain firmly in place.
The assembly election, scheduled for October 5, is anticipated to be a single-phase event, with the results to be declared on October 8. The BJP is optimistic about maintaining its hold on Haryana, leveraging the development initiatives it claims to have spearheaded in the state. Meanwhile, Congress is aiming for a comeback, despite facing criticism about its previous term.
Shah’s rally also included broader national issues, such as reservation policies and farmer welfare, which are highly significant to Haryana’s electorate. His focus on MSP was a calculated move, as the state relies heavily on agriculture. Farmers are a key voting bloc, and Shah’s speech appeared tailored to win their support by highlighting the BJP’s efforts to secure better prices for their produce.
Amit Shah’s address marks just one of many public meetings planned as part of the BJP’s campaign in Haryana. The party has made it clear that it will focus on promoting the accomplishments of the current government while underlining what it sees as the failures of the Congress administration. As the election date approaches, political observers expect the rhetoric to sharpen, especially around sensitive issues like MSP and reservations.
Shah’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi extended beyond national policies to include personal jibes. He mocked Gandhi’s apparent lack of understanding regarding the difference between Rabi and Kharif crops, suggesting that Gandhi’s advisers were misleading him to gain votes. Shah also implied that Congress was out of touch with the real concerns of farmers, while positioning the BJP as the more capable party when it comes to addressing rural issues.
The Congress, for its part, has yet to issue a substantial counter-response to Shah’s accusations. However, political analysts believe that the party may focus on different issues in an attempt to shift the narrative away from the BJP’s allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The stakes are high for both major political parties in this election. For the BJP, retaining control of Haryana is essential, as it would further solidify its presence in northern India. For Congress, a victory in Haryana could provide a much-needed morale boost ahead of the 2024 national elections. As polling day nears, both parties are expected to intensify their efforts, with more rallies and speeches aimed at swaying undecided voters.
Ultimately, the outcome of the Haryana Assembly election could serve as a bellwether for upcoming elections, offering insight into the broader political mood in India as the country moves toward its general election in 2024.