Chandigarh, Jul 30 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday accused the Congress and INDIA bloc parties of double standards, saying what they project is remarkably different from their actual conduct.
“Hathi ke dant dikhane ke aur, khaane ke aur (An elephant has different teeth for eating, and showing)” Saini said, asserting the proverb aptly describes the politics of the opposition parties.
Speaking with mediapersons on the sidelines of the concluding ceremony of the 77th state-level Van Mahotsav in Karnal on Thursday, Saini alleged that while the Congress and its allies make lofty promises, their actions tell a different story.
Targeting the AAP-led Punjab government over the paper leak issue, Saini said it was extremely unfortunate, and questioned the “silence” of the Bhagwant Mann dispensation and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
He said Punjab’s youth are protesting on the streets over the issue, yet neither the state government nor the Congress has shown any concern.
It has also exposed the AAP government’s failure to safeguard students’ interests, Saini said, adding that this has not only jeopardised the future of Punjab’s youth, but also left young aspirants feeling humiliated and betrayed.
In contrast, he said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated his commitment to protecting the future of the country’s youth by enacting a stringent anti-paper leak law.
Opposition parties in Punjab have been targeting the AAP government alleging multiple examination paper leaks in the past four-and-a-half years following detection of a cheating racket in a recent pharmacy officer recruitment examination.
However, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has stood his ground, asserting that not even a single examination paper has been leaked in the state during his tenure.
Recalling an earlier statement by AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Saini claimed the former Delhi deputy chief minister had publicly declared that if a paper leak occurred under an AAP government, the education minister would be the first to resign. “Today, they are silent,” Saini lashed out.
Drawing a comparison between the Congress and BJP governments on the issue of examination reforms, Saini said paper leaks were discussed in the Lok Sabha as early as 1986 during Congress rule, but no law was enacted to address the problem.
In contrast, he said, the BJP-led Centre had enacted a stringent anti-paper leak law in 2024 to eliminate examination malpractices.
He said the Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved a bill to amend the anti-paper leak law, introducing even stricter punishment, and asserted that the Union government is “open to learning from experiences”.
Taking a swipe at Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Saini said Rahul Gandhi has no substantial issue to raise against the Centre, and instead spends his time making baseless allegations.
He asserted that a comparison between the Congress’ 55 years in power and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12 years, clearly demonstrates the difference in governance, development and commitment to public welfare.
On the Punjab Assembly polls scheduled to be held early next year, Saini expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in Punjab.
He said the promises made by the AAP government remain unfulfilled.
Just as Haryana is witnessing unprecedented development under a “double-engine” government, Punjab too would witness faster development, better governance and greater opportunities for its youth once BJP comes to power, Saini said.
Speaking on environmental conservation, the chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign to strengthen environmental protection and promote cleaner air.
The prime minister is leading several transformative initiatives for environmental conservation, while the Haryana government is also implementing effective measures to protect the environment, he asserted. PTI SUN ARB ARB
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