Former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda launched a sharp attack on the state's BJP government led by Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. He accused the administration of deliberately evading crucial debates on public interest issues, most notably the looming threat to the ecologically sensitive Aravalli hills.
Aravalli 'Lungs of Haryana' Under Direct Threat
Addressing a press conference at his Chandigarh residence, Hooda placed the potential destruction of the Aravalli range at the centre of his critique. He cited a Forest Survey of India report to highlight the severe consequences of degradation, warning of a sharp spike in pollution across the state. Hooda termed the Aravallis the "lungs of Haryana" and expressed alarm over a new uniform definition that could leave over 90% of the 692-km-long range open to mining and construction.
He revealed that the Congress had moved a short-duration discussion on this critical issue during the recently concluded Winter Session. "Why did the government not defend Haryana’s interests in the Supreme Court, and why is it not filing a review petition now?" Hooda questioned, stating that the government provided no clear answers and successfully avoided the debate.
A Pattern of Evasion on Public Concerns
Hooda described the government's conduct in the Assembly as "anti-people and evasive." He made a significant claim: "For the first time in the history of the Haryana Assembly, not a single adjournment motion, suspension of business motion, or short-duration discussion proposed by the Congress was accepted."
He listed a range of issues the Opposition sought to discuss, all of which were allegedly ignored. These included:
- Mining in the Aravalli hills and rising pollution.
- Farmers' distress and the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- Unemployment and recruitment scams.
- The status of Chandigarh and the SYL water dispute.
- Alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders.
- Implementation failures in MNREGA and corruption.
On MNREGA, Hooda provided specific data, claiming that while 8 lakh people are registered, only 2,100 had received the full 100 days of work, with no compensation paid to workers in five years.
Diversion Tactics and Failing Governance
The Congress leader accused the BJP of using the Assembly to divert attention from governance failures. He pointed to discussions on Vande Mataram and electoral reforms as examples, calling them attempts to hide administrative shortcomings. "These are not matters that can be decided by a state Assembly," he asserted.
He also accused the BJP of trying to shift focus from serious allegations of "vote chori" by bringing up electoral reforms, a subject outside the Assembly's jurisdiction, which prompted a Congress walkout.
Hooda painted a grim picture of the state's finances and infrastructure, citing a NITI Aayog report that placed Haryana 14th out of 18 states in the Fiscal Health Index. He stated the state's total debt had crossed Rs 5.16 lakh crore and highlighted severe shortages: a 40% shortfall of doctors, vacant teaching posts, and nearly half of all sanctioned government positions lying empty.
Concluding his broadside, Hooda said the government failed to respond to issues even during a no-confidence motion. "The BJP government wants the opposition to remain silent, but the Congress will continue to raise the voice of the people—from the Assembly to the streets," he vowed, signalling sustained political pressure on the Saini administration.
