BJP National President Amit Shah, on 15 February, said the party had provided a corruption-free and stable government in Haryana and the country, and promised it would ensure 'sabka vikas' (development for all castes and communities).
Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ‘Yuva Hunkar Rally’ at Pandu Pindara village in Jind district, Shah said the BJP’s governance model was to ensure equal development for all.
Shah pointed out that Haryana was infamous for rampant corruption and maladministration in the tenure of previous governments but the BJP regime, headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, provided a corruption-free and transparent government.
He said the welfare schemes initiated by the Central and the Haryana governments were aimed at helping the farmers and the downtrodden.
Thousands of security personnel, including Haryana Police and para-military forces, kept a strict watch at the rally venue, areas surrounding it and Jind district and nearby areas.
The BJP-led Haryana government had also told the National Green Tribunal that only motorcycles with valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate would be allowed to participate. The NGT was hearing a plea demanding that rally have environment-friendly modes of transport, reported News18.
Agitating Jat community leaders, under the Akhil Bhartiya Jat Andolan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS), had earlier threatened to disrupt the BJP rally but later decided against it on 11 February following talks with the state government, reported IANS.
The opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) also had threatened to show black flags to the BJP president over the issue of non-construction of the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal and failure of the BJP to fulfil the promises made to the people of Haryana.
The police detained INLD leaders and workers in some districts to prevent them from reaching the rally venue, about 200 km from here.
Haryana Congress President Ashok Tanwar was also detained in Jind town as he was planning to hold a protest.
We were detained when we were holding protest at a site here which lies between the SP office and local bus stand. Police told us that they apprehend law and order problem and took us into custody. They released us after the rally ended.Ashok Tanwar to PTI.
Khattar Drives Motorcycle to Take Stock of Shah's Rally
Meanwhile, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday, 14 February, drove a motorcycle to take stock of preparations for "Yuva Hunkar Rally".
The rally by the BJP president is being seen in political circles in Haryana as the BJP's launch of campaign for the Assembly elections.
Interacting with the media after taking stock of preparations for the rally, Khattar said the visit of Amit Shah would be "historic and one-of-its-kind in which lakhs of people would come on their motorcycles to participate".
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