Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], September 27 : Congress stepped up its offensive against the BJP government in Haryana on Thursday, with party leader Rahul Gandhi slamming it over "unemployment" and problems faced by the youth and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel stating that posters of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar are missing from BJP's campaign.
Addressing an election rally in Karnal, Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence that Congress will come to power in Haryana, which will go to the polls on October 5.
He said a Congress government will belong to everyone and everybody will get his due. Gandhi alleged that the RSS had "captured" institutions in the country.
The Congress leader, who recently returned from a US visit, narrated the story of about 20 people from Haryana who had made their way to the United States through a lot of difficulties. He said they told him that they cannot come back for another ten years while their families were eager to meet them.
He said these young had been forced to sell their land or take loans for a life abroad as they did not see prospects for themselves in the state. Rahul Gandhi blamed the BJP government in Haryana for the plight of these youth "who were forced to leave the country".
Alleging that the Centre and state government's policies have led to severe curtailment of employment opportunities, he said that if the Congress returns to power, it will create employment avenues.
Rahul Gandhi said he was pained to see a child crying while making a video call to his father in the US. He promised that the Congress party would wipe the tears of all these people.
He accused the BJP government of trying to create monopolies and working for helping some "friends" and alleged that Rs 16 lakh crore of debt of 25 billionaires had been waived off.
The Congress leader also reiterated his demand for a caste census.
Referring to the plight of sportspersons, Rahul Gandhi said while they were struggling hard to bring glory to the state and to the country, the Modi government and the BJP government in Haryana had done nothing for them.
Bhupesh Baghel said on Thursday that the people of the state are fed up with the BJP government.
There are elections in Haryana elections "Khattar sahab is missing in the elections"
"(Chief Minister) Saini Sahab's situation is such that he could not even call the assembly session in six months. The situation of both can be understood. The people of Haryana are fed up with the BJP government. Be it farmers, soldiers, wrestlers, or women, everyone has decided that this government has to be uprooted and the Congress government is going to be formed with an absolute majority," Baghel said.
"They (BJP) are not able to discuss anything about their achievements. Kumari Selja is our national leader, and national general secretary and has held various posts. She has been given all the posts, so we have a lot of respect for her. The question is that Saini Sahab should tell why Khattar Sahab's photo is missing from the poster and why Khattar Sahab is missing from the stage," he added.
BJP leaders had earlier taken potshots at Congress, saying Kumari Selja, who is leader from the Dalit community, was not being given her due.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh, who was in Charkhi Dadri, said whatever the result of Haryana, the key to power will be in the hands of Arvind Kejriwal. "Our priority is to have electricity, water, education and health facilities here. Women should get Rs 1000 per month, people should get free electricity," he said.
Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief Chandrashekhar Aazad targeted the BJP government over the civic amenities in Haryana.
Addressing an election rally in Ambala, he said seeing the situation he feels ashamed of the government that has been in power since the last 10 years.
"I feel ashamed of the previous government as well. It looks like we are roaming in a city of water, the situation is that bad though it rained only for a few hours. If it rains continuously, the people won't be able to venture out...time has come to deliver justice to these people," he said.
The results for both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir elections will be declared on October 8.