Former CM Hooda slams BJP’s 12-year rule; cites unemployment, debt and scams

Rohtak/Chandigarh, October 17, 2026: Former CM of Haryana and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, describing its 12-year rule in Haryana as a record of broken promises, rising unemployment, mounting debt, crime and scams. Citing government reports and economic indicators, he alleged that the state had slipped from a leading position in several sectors to among the worst-performing states.
Addressing the completion of two years of the BJP’s third term, Hooda said the government had failed to deliver on its key electoral promises, including two lakh government jobs and financial assistance of ₹2,100 a month to women.
 “The BJP promised permanent jobs to Kaushal Vikas Nigam workers but has now backed out. Nearly two lakh government posts remain vacant, while recruitment and the Common Eligibility Test have failed to keep pace with the promises made to unemployed youth,” he said.
Hooda alleged that multiple conditions had excluded many women from the promised financial assistance scheme. He also accused the BJP of securing votes through false promises, alleging irregularities in the electoral process and referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of vote theft.
Comparing the state’s performance under the Congress and BJP governments, Hooda claimed Haryana had ranked among the leading states in per capita income, investment, employment generation and law and order when the Congress left office in 2014. He alleged that unemployment, drug abuse, crime and debt had since risen sharply.
Farmers, industries bear the brunt
Targeting the government over agricultural distress, Hooda said farmers were being forced to sell paddy at around ₹400 per quintal below the minimum support price (MSP) and bajra at ₹800–900 below the promised rates because of inadequate procurement. He recalled the BJP’s promise of ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy during the 2024 Assembly elections and accused the government of failing to honour its commitments on MSP and doubling farmers’ income.
He also cited Haryana’s rising debt, claiming it had increased from around ₹70,000 crore in 2014 to ₹5.5 lakh crore under the BJP government. He said the state’s economic position had deteriorated and alleged that industrial investment and employment opportunities had suffered due to poor policies and a climate of insecurity.
On law and order, Hooda referred to the Social Progress Index and other reports to argue that Haryana was facing a serious crime challenge. He alleged that more than 60 criminal gangs were active in the state and pointed to increases in corruption cases and the declining ranking of Haryana Police.
Education, health and welfare under attack
Former Haryana CM accused the BJP of neglecting education and healthcare, claiming that no Haryana university had featured in the top 100 of the latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). He alleged that around 38,000 teaching posts were vacant and criticised the government for raising MBBS fees from ₹40,000 to ₹40 lakh.
Listing the Congress government’s achievements, he cited the establishment of medical colleges, universities, polytechnics, ITIs, schools and other national-level institutions. He also highlighted investments in power generation, metro connectivity, industrial townships and rural infrastructure, alleging that several projects had stalled or shifted to other states under the BJP.
On social welfare, Hooda accused the government of discontinuing or weakening housing, scholarship and employment schemes for poor families, Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. He also criticised its handling of women’s safety and sports, alleging that Haryana had witnessed rising crimes against women while athlete recruitment and sports incentives had suffered.
Hooda said the BJP had failed to match the Congress government’s record on farmer relief, affordable electricity, public employment and welfare schemes. He challenged the ruling party to account for its electoral promises, asserting that Haryana needed employment, investment and effective governance rather than assurances that remained unfulfilled.