NEW DELHI: With the Congress planning a rally to mark its ‘victory’ in stalling the government land bill, senior ministers on Friday hit out at the opposition party, saying it should first come clean on land deals in the state of Haryana.
The NDA government fielded Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh to launch the attack on the Congress. Naidu said, “First rally behind facts, then hold a rally. First tally the facts, then hold a rally. Explain this looting of farmers’ land in Haryana. We are giving you sufficient time before you hold the rally.”
He also attacked the former Congress-led state government for the alleged shady deals. Quoting a Hindi proverb, he said the Congress talking of the land issue was a classic case of pot calling the kettle black. In a separate statement, the BJP alleged that nearly 8,000 acres of farmers’ land was acquired under various pretexts in Haryana during the Congress rule.