...
...
Next Story

Hooda: Congress built ‘Millennium City’, BJP turned It into a ‘Crime City’

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the public is well aware of the contrasting policies of the BJP and Congress

Updated on: Sep 30, 2024, 05:12:19 IST
Advertisement

Former Haryana chief minister and leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda launched a scathing attack on the BJP, claiming that under the latter’s rule, Gurugram has transformed from a “Millennium City” into a “Crime City.” Addressing a public meeting in support of Congress candidate Mohit Grover, Hooda said that lawlessness under the BJP has driven away businesses and investments, with criminals operating without fear. He said that if the Congress is voted back to power, they will restore rule of law and make the city a hub for investment again.

HT Image
HT Image

“Criminals commit crimes freely while the government watches as a mute spectator. This has resulted in a decline in investments, forcing industries and businessmen to migrate. When the Congress government returns, law and order will be re-established in all of Haryana, including Gurugram,” Hooda declared.

Hooda’s rally saw a significant boost when former BJP MLA Umesh Agarwal’s brother, Rakesh Agarwal, his nephew Deepak Agarwal, and INLD constituency president Vikram Kataria joined the Congress. Hooda warmly welcomed the newcomers, assuring them of respect and cooperation within the party. Senior Congress leader GL Sharma and former MLA Sukhbir Kataria also addressed the gathering in support of Grover.

Hooda said that the public is well aware of the contrasting policies of the BJP and Congress. “BJP has looted the people through endless scams while Congress is committed to putting money back in the hands of the people through welfare schemes,” he said. He accused the BJP of benefiting corrupt businessmen and drug smugglers while neglecting the poor, Dalits, and the elderly.

With the Haryana assembly elections fast approaching, Hooda’s rally reinforced Congress’s bid to wrest power from the BJP after a decade.

Vardhan Yadav proposes govt funding of RWAs

A vibrant Citizen Townhall took place at Tulip Clubhouse in Sector 70, bringing together locals, business professionals, and Congress candidate for Badshahpur, Vardhan Yadav, for a discussion on community concerns.

Yadav announced his intention to propose a policy in the state assembly aimed at empowering Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) by providing them direct government funding, independent of MLA funds, to enhance the development of residential communities. “This initiative would significantly reduce the financial burden on residents by lowering maintenance fees and enabling RWAs to operate more efficiently,” Yadav said. This policy is a cornerstone of Yadav’s electoral manifesto, and many attendees felt that it could lead to tangible improvements in their neighbourhoods.

Yadav heard residents’ concerns about infrastructure, traffic management, waste disposal, and community safety.

“This Townhall exemplifies the spirit of democracy where citizens actively participate in shaping their community. I am dedicated to listening to the voices of the people and working together towards a better Gurugram,” Yadav said.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar

Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Notifications

Get breaking alerts directly from the newsroom

Notifications are on!You'll be notified when news breaks