Haryana will have a Dalit deputy chief minister if the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) alliance wins the upcoming elections, BSP leader Mayawati announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at a public gathering in Uchana, Jind, to mark the 111th birth anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, Mayawati said if the alliance is victorious, INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala will serve as chief minister and will appoint two deputies—one from the Dalit community and the other from either the Other Backward Classes or the upper castes.
“Who these deputy chief ministers will be will be decided after the poll results,” Mayawati said, adding that she demands a caste census, which she claims has been stalled by both the Congress and the current BJP-led government.
Chautala, who was also present at the event, announced several welfare measures, including free cooking gas cylinders, a cash grant of Rs 1,100 to each household, free electricity, and the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme if the alliance wins. He also pledged an old-age pension of Rs 7,500 per month, a government job for one educated youth per family, and a Rs 21,000 unemployment allowance until they secure employment.
He also promised free medical treatment for those who require it outside the state and free plots of 100 square yards for the poor.
Mayawati hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent remarks regarding reservation policies during a visit to the US describing his statements as contradictory. She claimed that he expresses support for reservation in India while suggesting the opposite abroad.
“Reservation is not a gift from Congress; it is a hard-won right for Dalits from B.R. Ambedkar,” she said.
Haryana will vote in a single phase on October 5, and results will be out on October 8.