AAP Leader Anurag Dhanda Launches Scathing Attack on Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini
In a sharp escalation of political rhetoric, Aam Aadmi Party national media in-charge and senior leader Anurag Dhanda launched a blistering critique against Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday. Dhanda branded the chief minister as the "master of all liars" and accused his administration of implementing policies that are severely detrimental to both athletes and the elderly across the state.
Allegations of Neglect Towards Haryana's Sporting Community
Dhanda highlighted what he described as a systematic deprivation of resources for Haryana's sports sector. He alleged that the Saini-led government has stopped the diet allowances for over 37,000 sportspersons, in addition to withholding salaries for coaches employed in various sports nurseries. This move, according to Dhanda, comes at a time when the state's athletes are already facing significant challenges.
"Haryana's athletes sweat tirelessly on the field, winning Olympic medals through the hard-earned money of their parents. Some athletes have even tragically died due to accidents like falling poles in dilapidated sports grounds. Was that not enough that now the diet allowance for 37,000 athletes has been abruptly stopped?" questioned Dhanda during his press address.
He further revealed that recent government communications have instructed the closure of sports nurseries for the months of February and March, exacerbating the crisis for budding athletes and their trainers.
Questioning the Value of Athletic Achievements
Dhanda expressed deep concern over what he perceives as the diminishing respect for athletes under the current administration. "Haryana has always been the proud land of sports. Most athletes who have raised India's flag high at prestigious events like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games hail from this very soil. But today, those same athletes are left wondering whether the value of their hard work and medals is limited only to applause on election stages. Are athletes being reduced to mere posters and political speeches?" he lamented.
He argued that the anti-people policies and intentions of Chief Minister Saini have forced athletes, who have brought glory to the nation, to struggle for their basic rights, dignity, and essential facilities.
Poster Release and Accusations of Deception
To underscore his criticism, the AAP leader released a provocative poster labeling CM Nayab Saini as a "Just Chill CM." Dhanda went on to assert that Saini has earned a "PhD in lying" on official record, accusing him of mastering the art of deception. He claimed that the Haryana CM is working on a new policy of "run ahead, leave everything behind," which prioritizes political maneuvering over public welfare.
"Athletes previously lost their lives due to neglected and dilapidated sports grounds, and now the Nayab Singh Saini government is attempting to starve them by cutting essential diet allowances," Dhanda stated emphatically.
Controversy Over Old-Age Pension Cuts
Expanding his critique beyond sports, Dhanda targeted the chief minister over the contentious issue of old-age pensions. He contradicted Saini's recent claims that no pensions have been cut, alleging that more than 75,000 elderly individuals in Haryana have had their pensions stopped under his administration.
Dhanda detailed what he called illogical justifications provided by the government for these cuts. "If a farmer's bank account shows transactions of Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh from crop sales, they are being erroneously told that their annual income is Rs 3 lakh, thereby rendering them ineligible for pension. This implies that the government considers a farmer who sells crops worth Rs 3 lakh as wealthy," he explained.
He emphasized that the fundamental purpose of the old-age pension scheme is to allow senior citizens to live their final years with dignity and respect. "However, the chief minister now asserts that they will not receive pensions because their families are deemed to earn well, which is a gross misinterpretation of the scheme's intent," Dhanda added.
Public Outcry and Government Silence
According to Dhanda, the pension cuts have sparked widespread distress across Haryana. "Hundreds of elderly people and women are standing in long queues outside government offices, demanding answers as to why their pensions have been stopped. Officials, however, have no valid or satisfactory responses to offer them," he reported.
This situation, he argued, reflects a broader pattern of neglect and mismanagement under CM Saini's leadership, where the voices of the vulnerable are being systematically ignored.
