Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday lauded the progress which Haryana has made in various fields and also hailed the sportspersons of the state for excelling in their fields and bringing laurels to the nation.
He also spoke about Haryana's role in the farming sector.
"When the country needed to become self-reliant in the agricultural sector, the farmers of this very Haryana filled the granaries of the nation. Haryana has also made a massive contribution to the White Revolution," Shah said.
Praising the sportspersons, he said, "When the medal tally for the National Games is prepared, India gradually climbs up, if we look at India's tally, which I have been observing continuously for 13 years, number one in India's tally is my Haryana."
Shah inaugurates 1857 memorial, highway project in Ambala
Shah was addressing a gathering in Ambala Cantt after inaugurating a memorial built in honour of those who sacrificed their lives during the first war of independence in 1857.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union minister and Karnal MP Manohar Lal, state BJP chief Archana Gupta, Haryana minister and Ambala Cantt MLA Anil Vij, Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, BJP's Haryana in-charge Smriti Irani and co-in-charge Bhola Singh were also present.
On the occasion, Shah also inaugurated the 23-km-long Jalbehra-Shahabad (NH-152 G) National Highway project worth Rs 1,260 crore.
Speaking about the projects, he said a national highway built at a cost of Rs 1,260 crore has also been inaugurated.
Shah credits BJP governments for Haryana's transformation
"Friends, I do not want to speak at great length, but Haryana recently completed 60 years. It is the good fortune of us BJP workers and the blessing of the Haryana government that out of these 60 years, you trusted Narendra Modi and the 'lotus' symbol for 12 years," said Shah.
"Manohar (Lal) Ji and (Nayab) Saini Ji, both of them brought about a radical transformation in Haryana over these 12 years," he said.
Shah gave details about several achievements of the BJP government in Haryana during the past 12 years.
He further said Haryana became the only state in the country to procure 24 crops at minimum support price (MSP).
Haryana's achievements in infrastructure and welfare
Shah said Haryana became the first state in the country to run a hydrogen train while the country's first-ever elevated railway track was initiated in the state itself, he said.
The largest Transgender Welfare Board in the country was established in Haryana, he said.
Shah said that the work of establishing educated panchayats and creating an online transfer policy was done first in Haryana when Manohar Lal was the state's chief minister.
The "transfer industry", if anyone uprooted from Haryana, it was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said.
" ...The first Ayush University was built in Haryana. Haryana became the first state to introduce the Parivar Pehchan Patra (Family Identity Card). Haryana also became the first state to stand with its farmers by extending the Bhavantar Yojna to horticultural crops. Haryana is also the state providing the highest wages under MGNREGA, he said.
Haryana has made immense progress, Shah said.
Shah targets Congress over MSP, invokes Punjab
"Recently, during a drug-free India campaign, I have been visiting Punjab quite frequently for a drug-free Punjab. The farmers there stand with placards saying 'MSP ki guarantee, MSP ki guarantee'. (Congress leader) Rahul (Gandhi) Ji has handed them a 'jhunjhuna' (a rattle)," he said.
"I tell everyone, holding up placards won't achieve anything," the minister said. Form a BJP government, form an NDA government, our Haryana is providing MSP on 24 crops," he said, as he was speaking about forming government in poll-bound Punjab.
Shah praises Modi, Saini and promises to fulfil manifesto
Shah also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given priority to Haryana.
"Modi Ji will obviously give priority, because as the general secretary (organisation) of the BJP, he was the in-charge of Haryana," he said.
Shah said if any state has the highest percentage of its land connected to national highways, it is in Haryana, and credited Modi for it.
"I have come here today to tell you something: our Nayab Saini, he doesn't talk much. If you meet him, you'll find he speaks quite softly, but let me tell you, he is incredibly swift when it comes to getting work done," he said.
"Our manifesto is this: by the time we return to seek your votes in 2029, we will have fulfilled every single promise we made," he said.