'BJP trying to revert back to Land Acquisition Act of 1894'

Hisar: Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Wednesday lashed out at the BJP-led Central government for allegedly trying to revert back to the "exploitative" Land Acquisition Act, 1894 enacted by the Britishers, saying it will not be allowed at any cost.

"The BJP-led Central government is subtly trying to revert back to the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 of the British which was absolutely exploitative and had been enacted mainly to serve the colonial interests," the two-time former chief minister said here.

He said: "It will not be allowed at any cost come what may."

Alleging that BJP can never be a party of farmers, poor sections and small traders, Hooda said, "now it (BJP) probably wants to prove more loyal to the corporate houses while ignoring the genuine concerns and apprehensions of millions of farmers across the country."

"The farmers are not getting the right price of their produce, they are being deprived of their right to oppose the land acquisition," he said.

The Congress leader also said that the Government had "betrayed" the farmers by not implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission report.

"This government has lost faith of the people in such a short span. Not a single section of society is happy with the government may be they are farmers, employees or traders. All are fed up with BJP government at the Centre and in Haryana as well," he said.

Hooda also hit out at the Manohar Lal Khattar-government in the state on power issue.

"People are facing power cuts. If this is the situation in winter months then what is going to happen when temperatures rise and demand for power increases," he said.

Hooda also announced his decision to launch a state-wide campaign from Jind in May against the alleged failures of the state government on various fronts.