From Number One to Crime State: Hooda Blasts BJP's Haryana Record

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is leading a renewed charge for the Congress party in the state. Speaking at a workers' meeting in Narnaul on Sunday, Hooda declared that the Congress has begun its mission to "completely clean out the BJP" from Haryana.

Hooda's visit to Narnaul, part of the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha constituency, was to thank party workers for their efforts in the recent national elections. The Congress leader claims his party has already reduced the BJP's presence "to half" in the Lok Sabha polls and is now focused on state-level success.

"Not a single leader or worker of Congress will sit at home until this mission is complete," Hooda proclaimed to a large gathering of supporters. He outlined a three-month strategy of "public outreach and struggle on people's issues." 

The former Chief Minister didn't hold back in his criticism of the current BJP government. He accused them of turning Haryana "from number one in development into a crime state." Hooda painted a grim picture of the law and order situation, claiming that "incidents like theft, loot, robbery, ransom, murder, and rape have become part of the daily routine." 

To counter what he called a "reign of fear," Hooda unveiled a series of promises for a potential Congress government:

• A monthly pension of 6,000 rupees for every elderly person
• - Reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees 
• 300 units of free electricity for households
• Gas cylinders priced at 500 rupees
• Creation of over 200,000 permanent government jobs 

Hooda also pledged to raise the income limit for the "creamy layer" in OBC reservations from 6 lakh to 10 lakh rupees per year. He accused the BJP of effectively ending OBC reservations by lowering the limit. 

The Congress leader specifically targeted the BJP's record in the Ahirwal region, which includes Narnaul. He claimed the area has been ignored "on every issue from development to water" over the past decade of BJP rule. 

Haryana Congress President Udai Bhan joined Hooda at the rally. Bhan dismissed recent BJP announcements as "fake" and accused the ruling party of copying Congress proposals. He expressed confidence that voters wouldn't "fall into the trap of the BJP" again. 

The charged atmosphere at the workers' meeting suggests the Congress is gaining momentum. Party members vowed to win all nine Assembly seats within the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming state elections. As the political temperature rises in Haryana, it's clear the Congress sees an opportunity to capitalize on perceived anti-incumbency sentiment. With Hooda leading the charge and making bold promises, the stage is set for an intense electoral battle in the coming months.