Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, declared on Saturday that the Congress party’s “incoming government” in Haryana aims to end “the decade of pain” experienced by the state’s residents. His remarks followed the Haryana Congress’s unveiling of a comprehensive poll manifesto for the upcoming state assembly elections on October 5.
During the manifesto launch, held in the presence of Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Gandhi outlined a series of promises aimed at addressing key issues affecting the state. Among the commitments are the establishment of a commission for farmers’ welfare, a financial package of Rs 2 crore for families of martyred soldiers, and initiatives to promote labour-intensive units to generate employment.
In a post on X, Gandhi slammed BJP alleging that over the past decade, they have deprived Haryana of its prosperity and aspirations. He accused the BJP of undermining the rights of farmers through “black laws,” damaging small traders’ profits with misguided policies like demonetisation and a flawed GST, and eroding the self-respect of the state for the benefit of their allies.
“The coming Congress government will end the ‘Decade of Pain’ – It is our resolve to fulfil the hopes, aspirations and dreams of every Haryana resident,” Gandhi said.
The manifesto includes significant promises such as the creation of 200,000 permanent jobs, a drug-free Haryana, free healthcare up to Rs 25 lakh, a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for women, gas cylinders priced at Rs 500, and a housing scheme offering a two-room house for Rs 3.5 lakh. Additionally, it pledges to reinstate the old pension scheme, provide Rs 6,000 monthly pensions for the elderly, widows, and disabled persons, and guarantee minimum support prices (MSP) for farmers, along with immediate crop compensation and a caste census.
Haryana’s assembly elections will take place on October 5, with results expected to be announced on October 8.