JD(U), INLD hits out at BJP over pitiable condition of farmers

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and JD(U) today launched a scathing attack on the BJP led government at the Centre and in Haryana over the pitiable condition of farmers while saffron party ally Shiromani Akali Dal claimed that Haryana had fallen way behind Punjab.
At a rally here, INLD appealed to its cadre and supporters to stop paying electricity bills in Haryana till the time Manohar Lal Khattar led BJP Government rolls back the hiked power rates.
INLD leader Abhay Chautala said "the BJP government in Haryana has burdened the common consumers with hiked power rates by increasing fuel surcharge. We had given an ultimatum to government to withdraw hiked power rates by November 1.

"Till the time they rollback the hiked power rate and fuel surcharge, not even a single INLD supporter will pay their power bills," he told the gathering.
Chautala alleged that during last 10-years Congress looted the State and now the BJP is treading the same path.
"During the past one year of BJP rule in Haryana, people of various sections have been forced to take to streets and hold protest demonstrations," he said

Senior JD(U) leader and party general secretary K C Tyagi speaking at the rally said "Before coming to power, the BJP had promised to bail out the farmers in distress by promising them to give adequate rates for their produce and Narendra Modi in his poll rallies portrayed himself and his party as champion of farmers interests."

"When they came to power, a meagre hike of Rs 50 per quintal in MSP of foodgrain crops was made by the NDA government," Tyagi said.
"Today, 320 districts of this country face drought, but PM along with his entire cabinet is in Bihar. These days, Union Cabinet meeting does not take place in Delhi, but in Bihar," he claimed.
In what may cause embarrassment to the BJP, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and SAD President, Sukhbir Singh Badal said "during INLD rule, Haryana progressed", and added "for the last 11 years, 'sarkar naam ki cheez he nahein hein' (it appears for last 11 years government doesn't exist in Haryana)".

"When we enter Haryana from Punjab, we see broken roads, villages in bad shape, no electricity and harassment of farmers," Sukhbir Badal said addressing INLD's 'Samman Rally' here, to celebrate the 102nd birth anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister, late Devi Lal.
SAD is a key ally of the BJP and shares power with the the saffron party in Punjab since 2007. However, SAD had fought the 2014 Haryana assembly elections in alliance with the INLD.