Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, on Wednesday, slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government saying that it may fool the people of the country but not the people of Himachal Pradesh.
Kharge also dared the BJP to seek votes on the truth and not fake promises and lies.
Addressing his first public meeting in poll-bound Himachal Pradesh’s Banuti area of Shimla Rural assembly seat, Kharge said, “People here are educated, understand everything and take a considered decision (in voting).”
The Congress president said that the BJP may have been able to fool people all over the country with its jumlas (rhetoric) of ₹15 lakh in bank accounts and jobs, “but it cannot do so here”.
Singh is the son of late Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who represented Shimla Rural. His mother is Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh, who is also a Lok Sabha MP from Mandi.
Kharge, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP, said that the grand old party would fulfil all its promises made in the manifesto.
“Congress will implement the old pension scheme (OPS) in its first cabinet decision after being voted to power. This is our promise, and if given a chance, this will be the first thing to be done,” Kharge said.
Taking a dig at the ruling BJP, he said that it wins elections by making false promises and spreading lies. “Why do you have to tell lies? Why don’t you speak the truth and then ask for votes,” Kharge said.
On Saturday, the Congress launched its manifesto, promising the implementation of OPS, 300 units of free power, a ₹680-crore StartUp fund, one lakh government jobs and ₹1,500 per month for women aged between 18 and 60 years.
Kharge also accused the BJP of not following internal democracy in the party. “I was elected as party president after the elections. But no one knows how JP Nadda was elected because there are no elections and there is only nomination in the BJP,” he said.
Hitting out at the BJP over the issue of unemployment, Kharge said that the Prime Minister and all BJP leaders, during debates in Parliament, talked about jobs, but there are 63,000 vacancies in the government in Himachal Pradesh and 14 lakh across the country.
“But the prime minister is giving out job certificates to only 75,000 people,” Kharge pointed out.
Talking about the issues of farmers, the Congress leader said that farmers do not have mandis to sell their produce. “They do not even get MSP. Those selling fruits at much higher rates after buying them cheaper from farmers here are supported by the BJP and the chief minister,” he said. “Do you need such a government,” Kharge questioned the crowd.
The Congress President also highlighted the role of the people of the state in the armed forces and said that they are protecting the borders of our country.
Polling for the 68 member assembly is scheduled for November 12 and the counting of votes will take place on December 8.