Unemployment and drug menace big issues in Haryana: Kumari Selja

Haryana Congress chief Kumari Selja tells Shantanu Nandan Sharma in Karnal that the state’s electorate would vote on “real issues” and not get “duped” by BJP’s slogans. Edited excerpts:

BJP’s slogan in Haryana is ‘Ab ki baar, 75 paar (This time, we’ll go beyond 75 seats)’. How is Congress reacting to that?
The BJP is good at coining new slogans, whether it is at the Centre or in the state. But none of their slogans have any meaning on the ground. Today, Haryana has the dubious distinction of topping the nation’s crime and unemployment charts. In the last five years, there have been three large riot incidents in the state. The army had to be called in.

They [BJP leaders] could have talked about their achievements of the last five years. But no. They are talking about [revocation of ] Article 370 [that granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir] as if it was an achievement of the government of Haryana. They are talking about NRC [the exercise to create a National Register of Citizens in Assam]. What has these got to do with Haryana?


What are the real issues?
Unemployment is a big issue, so is drug menace. Farmers were told their income would double in five years. In reality, they are struggling to sell their produce in the mandi. Also, more and more factories in Haryana are being shut down.

Some have laid off their employees. Maruti, one of the biggest industries in the state, has cut down on production. Look at the pathetic state of affairs of the auto ancillary industries and the carpet manufacturers of Panipat. All of them are sitting on huge inventories.

Even Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s husband [economist Parakala Prabhakar] has said the economy is not doing well.

Haven’t resignations and fielding of rebel candidates become a serious problem for the Congress?
This is a phenomenon that occurs in every election. Some leave, some join. There is nothing new in it.

So what is your assessment of the election?
In the last one month, the scenario has improved in favour of the Congress. We are on our way to form the next government in Haryana.

In that case, who is your CM candidate? Are you a contender too?
This issue has been raked up by media and supporters of some overenthusiastic leaders. The reality is that it will be decided by the high command at an appropriate time.