I am confident that Congress will form government in Haryana: Bhupinder Singh Hooda

Former Haryana Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda is confident about the Congress party's victory in the upcoming assembly elections. Reflecting on the extensive development achieved during his decade-long tenure as Chief Minister, Hooda stated that the BJP has nothing to show for its own ten years in power. Despite his busy schedule on the campaign trail, Rural Voice Editor-in-Chief Harvir Singh had a detailed conversation with Hooda at his Rohtak residence, discussing Congress' promises and issues related to farmers and sportspersons. Below are excerpts from the conversation:

Question: Hooda ji, you said that ‘BJP Lok Sabha mai half, Vidhan Sabha mai saaf’. What gives you such confidence that Congress will form the government this time?
Answer: Look, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress did not win a single seat and led in only 10 assembly segments. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, we secured five seats. At that time I had made that prediction. Clearly, our vote bank has grown in all 90 assembly constituencies, while the BJP's has shrunk. Our vote share has increased in all ten parliamentary constituencies. In 2019, our vote share was 28 percent, and now it has reached 48 percent, while their (BJP’s) support has decreased by 12 percent. These trends indicate a shift, and I'm basing my prediction on these indicators.

Question: BJP has been in power for 10 years, and before that, you ran the state for 10 years. How would you compare your tenure with theirs?
Answer: This is the primary reason for the change. Congress was in power from 2005 to 2014, and BJP-JJP from 2014 to 2024. People have weighed our achievements against their failures. When we left office in 2014, Haryana was number one in per capita income, per capita investment, law and order, employment, and sports achievements across India. Today, Haryana is number one in unemployment and inflation. Law and order has completely collapsed. Our wrestler daughters have made the nation proud, yet they are not receiving justice. The BJP promised to double farmers' income, but instead, costs have risen manifold. In 2014, diesel in Haryana was cheaper than in neighboring states, but now it's more expensive. They raised VAT, leading to higher fuel prices compared to Punjab, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan.

Question: What is the roadmap for implementing the seven guarantees outlined in your manifesto?
Answer: We have analyzed everything thoroughly. It won’t be easy, but it can be done. When we formed the government in 2005, the plan budget was Rs 2,200 crore, and we waived electricity bills worth Rs 1,600 crore. We left Haryana in a strong economic condition and completed many projects. The BJP, on the other hand, copied our manifesto and announced similar schemes. Thus, they acknowledged that two lakh sanctioned posts are vacant, which exposes their failure. Under their Kaushal Rozgar Yojana, they offered contract-based employment, while we abolished the contract system. They did not provide merit-based hiring or reservations. Positions that should have a salary of Rs 40,000 are now filled with contract jobs offering only Rs 15,000, without any benefits.

Question: Under your chairmanship, a committee on agriculture was formed. You mentioned providing a legal guarantee of MSP based on the MS Swaminathan formula in Haryana. How will this be implemented?
Answer: We are committed to fighting for the legal guarantee of MSP. Rahul Gandhi is a strong leader, and we will put pressure on the central government to implement the Swaminathan formula.

Question: In Ambala, you mentioned that the Shambhu border will be opened when the Congress government comes to power. Will you allow farmers to go to Delhi?
Answer: I stated that in a democracy, no one should be stopped from voicing their concerns. If someone is coming peacefully, they have the right to be heard. If someone takes the law into their hands, then the authorities have the power to intervene. Dialogue is essential for solutions.

Question: The Prime Minister and BJP have said that development will come to a halt if Congress forms the government. How do you respond?
Answer: Prime Minister says as people advise him, but there was no significant development during BJP's tenure. From 2005 to 2014, we developed 81 km of metro lines, while they did not add a single pole. We laid down or secured approval for 250 km of railway lines; they did not construct any. We built four power plants; they didn't add any units. Before 2005, Haryana had only one medical college; we built six. We also brought a national-level institute, the National Institute of Fashion Technology, to Panchkula, and set up several other institutes, including Kalpana Chawla Medical College, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, and more. BJP did not bring any major universities or medical colleges during their term.

Question: BJP changed the Chief Minister just before the elections. Was it due to anti-incumbency? Will it benefit them?
Answer: They believe that changing the Chief Minister will make a difference, but these faces keep changing. People have made up their minds for change.

Question: Two significant events took place. The farmers' movement led to the withdrawal of the three agricultural laws, and the wrestlers' protest against harassment followed. BJP alleges that Congress supported these movements. What is your view?
Answer: Haryana may be a small state, with only two percent of India's population, but if the country earns 38 gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, 22 are from Haryana. If India wins six Olympic medals, four are from Haryana. Supporting our athletes who were protesting is not about politics but doing what is right.

Question: What about the alleged factionalism in your party, with some saying most tickets have gone to Hooda's supporters?
Answer: That is incorrect. We received 22,000 applications for tickets. We formed a screening committee and conducted various surveys. The main criterion was a candidate’s winnability and sustainability.

Question: Recently, there were rumors of Shailaja ji's displeasure, although she attended the rally.
Answer: There are no issues. She has already clarified her position.

Question: Rahul Gandhi has joined the election campaign. What difference will this make?
Answer: His presence will make a significant impact. His rallies have drawn huge crowds, showing people's eagerness to hear from him.

Question: How do you see caste equations playing out?
Answer: Congress's slogan is, "na jaat pe na paat pe, muhar lagegi haath pe (Neither based on caste nor on other factors, the stamp will be on the hand." Congress has support from all communities.

Question: How will the Chief Minister be chosen?
Answer: The MLAs will make the selection. Observers will come, gather opinions, and present their report to the high command. Everyone will abide by the high command's decision.

Question: Some say this election campaign is largely being carried on Hooda’s shoulders. How do you see it?
Answer: Whatever the party decides, we will all accept it.

Question: There has been a reshuffling within Haryana's political families. Birendra Singh has returned, Kiran Chaudhary joined BJP, and your party has fielded Bansi Lal's grandson against his daughter in Tosham. How do you view this?
Answer: Bhajan Lal ji was in multiple parties, and Chaudhary Bansi Lal also formed his own party. Chaudhary Bansi Lal made significant contributions in Haryana, especially during his initial time in power.

Question: Is it a direct contest between BJP and Congress? Will other parties have any role?
Answer: It is a direct fight between Congress and BJP. The other parties have no significant role in this election.

Question: Have you made any calculations of how many seats you will win?
Answer: No, I don't do calculations, but I see the atmosphere among people. Based on that, I am confident that Congress will form the government in Haryana with a significant majority."