Blame game takes centre stage in poll campaign

Claims of development during their tenure and allegations of failure during their opponents’ time seems to have taken centre stage in the ongoing election campaign. However, the reality of the development works or achievements during the respective period fails to fully support the claims being made by both parties.

Though both the BJP and Congress are not only harping on the development works done during their respective regimes and attacking their opponents on matters of development, the reality does not fully support the claims being made, according to sources in the district administration and local residents. Issues, including civic infrastructure, roads, metro rail, old-age (social security) pension, health, education and basic amenities hogging the limelight, the candidates have been claiming more work or results during their tenures in comparison to their opponents.

The ruling BJP party has nothing to claim about the issue of Metro rail link. The promise to start Metro rail between Faridabad and Gurugram, and Ballabgarh and Palwal remains blank due to no work on ground. On other hand, the Congress did not fail to boast the Metro rail connectivity provided to Faridabad and Gurugram during its tenure. The launch of the multi-crore Delhi Mumbai Expressway project, Greenfield Expressway project to connect Faridabad with Jewar International airport in UP, inauguration of the KMP and KGP expressways, construction of Manjhawali bridge over Yamuna to connect Faridabad and Noida, setting up of Faridabad Metro Development Authority for major civic projects, augmentation of the Ranney Well water supply scheme, Skill university, flyovers and underpasses, concretisation of roads and streets, renovation of Badkhal lake and Smart city project are among the works that actually match the claims by the ruling party in the last 10 years.

The revision of the old-age and social security pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 and employment through online portal (HKRNL) have also been claimed as achievements. Failure to complete or make some of the projects functional, including renovation of the international cricket stadium, Nursing colleges, convocation centre, Medical College and hospital at Chainsa village, and filling up vacant posts in hospitals and educational institutions remain unfulfilled.

The development during the last 10 years of the Congress regime had been marked by slow progress, nepotism and corruption in employment. The BJP leaders describe the system as Kharchi and Parchi — bribe and recommendation — it is claimed. The beginning of the Metro rail project and widening of the National Highway are seen as major works done between 2004 and 2014.

The Congress is promising to double the pension, free power up to 300 units and medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh to woo voters.

Achievements and failures

The revision of the old-age and social security pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 and employment through online portal (HKRNL) have also been claimed as achievements. On the other hand, failure to complete some projects, including renovation of the international cricket stadium, nursing colleges, convocation centre, medical college and hospital at Chainsa village, have been highlighted. The filling of vacant posts in hospitals and educational institutions also remains unfulfilled.