Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) national president Abhay Singh Chautala on Monday accused the BJP Government of discriminating against Sirsa and keeping the district out of Haryana’s development agenda despite its slogan, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
Addressing villagers on the third day of his four-day public outreach campaign in the Ellenabad Assembly constituency, Chautala said Sirsa had faced political neglect for several years. He visited Umedpura, Mehnakhera, Chilkani, Bhurtwala, Kumthala, Musli, Mamera Bari, Mamera Chhoti, Poharka, Khari Sureran, Kishanpura, Mithanpura, Karmshana and Behrwala villages.
Chautala claimed the INLD had remained out of power for nearly two decades, but both the Congress and BJP governments failed to include Sirsa in the state’s development plans. As a result, he alleged, villages in the Ellenabad constituency continue to struggle with poor infrastructure and inadequate public services.
He said many villages face a shortage of drinking water for cattle, damaged roads, too few teachers in government schools and a shortage of doctors in government hospitals.
Appealing to people to support the INLD in the next Assembly elections, Chautala said bringing his party back to power would help put Haryana firmly on the path of development.
The INLD leader also claimed the state government had earlier tried to stop old-age pensions, but the party’s agitation forced it to restore the benefits. He further alleged that the Congress and BJP joined hands politically to ensure his defeat in elections so that he could not raise development issues in the Assembly.
Congress hits back at Abhay Chautala over remarks against Ellenabad MLA
Congress leader Santosh Beniwal on Monday criticised Abhay Singh Chautala for his remarks against Ellenabad MLA Bharat Singh Beniwal, saying politics should focus on public issues rather than personal attacks.
During his Ellenabad tour, Abhay took a swipe at MLA Beniwal on Sunday, alleging that he avoided speaking in the Assembly by citing a sore throat and failed to raise public issues. A video of his remarks has gone viral on social media. In response, Beniwal’s son, Sumit Beniwal, defended his father on social media and urged Chautala to speak with respect and avoid arrogance.
Responding to Chautala’s comments during his village outreach campaign, Beniwal said Ellenabad had always believed in politics based on public service and people’s trust, not mockery. She alleged that instead of discussing farmers’ issues, unemployment and development, Chautala was spending most of his time personally targeting the Congress MLA.
She said making a politician’s voice, health or speaking style an issue went against democratic values and Haryana’s political culture. Beniwal also defended Bharat Singh Beniwal, saying he had consistently stood with the people and earned their trust, as reflected in his victory margin of more than 15,000 votes.
She urged Chautala to present his vision for Ellenabad instead of attacking his political opponents.