Chandigarh [India], November 12 (ANI): Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party while participating in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) "Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao" (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy) Padyatra in Manimajra, Chandigarh.
Arriving at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport to a warm welcome from Chandigarh and Punjab Yuva Morcha members and party workers, Puri framed the march as a stand against what he described as the opposition’s politics of disruption and disorder.
Highlighting India's economic trajectory since 2014, Puri contrasted the current economy with the period prior to the Modi government.
"What was the situation before 2014? Internationally, our economy was referred to as one of the 'Fragile Five'. You know what 'fragile' means. When you are travelling by air and have something breakable in your suitcase, it is labelled 'fragile'—meaning 'handle with care'. From being among the 'Fragile Five', our economy has now doubled in size, reaching $4 trillion. And now, there is talk of becoming one of the world's top three economies," Puri stated.
Puri noted that 4 crore people have benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, while LPG gas connections have expanded from 14 crore prior to 2014 to 35 crore today.
He stated that while petrol and diesel prices surged manifold in several countries globally, rates in India have decreased over the last four years.
Emphasising inclusive growth, Puri remarked that the vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047 will rely on the active participation of the nation's youth and all sections of society.
Turning his focus to the Congress party, Puri questioned its credentials as a defender of democracy. He reminded the crowd that the Congress imposed the Emergency in 1975 solely to save its own government, only to be voted out by the public in 1977.
Accusing the opposition of undermining electoral institutions, he stated that the Congress resorts to alleging "vote theft" wherever it faces defeat.
Puri also invoked the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, alleging that Congress plays with people's emotions. He stated that on November 1, 1984, 2,700 people were killed in Delhi—despite the presence of 6,000 army personnel—as Sikh homes were specifically identified and targeted, leading to the cold-blooded murder of over 3,600 people nationwide.
Quoting the Delhi High Court’s observation that the events were "cold-blooded" rather than mere riots, Puri asserted that the nation does not want such incidents to ever be repeated.
Puri, in a post on X, outlined the agenda for the day's mass outreach, stating that we will raise our voice against the politics of disruption, disorder and anarchy being pursued by the Congress-led opposition.
He wrote, "Warmly welcomed at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, by the enthusiastic members of Yuva Morcha from Chandigarh and Punjab, along with our dedicated party Karyakartas and functionaries of @BJP4Chandigarhand @BJP4Punjab."
Detailing the objective of the march, Puri further stated, "Today, I will join our committed BJP Karyakartas and supporters in leading the “लोकतंत्र बचाओ, अराजकता हटाओ पदयात्रा” in Manimajra. Together, we will raise our voice against the politics of disruption, disorder and anarchy being pursued by the Congress-led opposition, and reaffirm our commitment to democracy, peace and policies of social & financial inclusion under the leadership of PM Sh @narendramodi Ji".
Earlier on Saturday, in a gathering held at the residence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta joined the Union Minister to meet with victims and survivors of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, reaffirming support and hearing firsthand accounts of the tragedy.
The meeting focused on the lasting human cost of the violence that swept through the national capital, as survivors shared their painful memories and ongoing struggles for justice.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has been elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh in the by-election to the Upper House, following the rejection of nomination papers of two other candidates.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president, Hemant Khandelwal, received Hardeep Puri’s certificate of election from the Returning Officer, Umesh Kumar Sharma, at the state Legislative Assembly. Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, along with BJP MLAs Rameshwar Sharma and Bhagwandas Sabnani, were present on the occasion
Puri's nomination papers were accepted by the Returning Officer on November 3 after objections raised by Congress leaders and independent candidates were dismissed during scrutiny. With the nominations of the two other candidates, Rajkumar Lohani and Kante Sayanna, rejected, Puri remained the sole candidate in the fray. According to the order, Kante Sayanna’s nomination was rejected for failing to fulfil the mandatory requirement of signatures from 10 per cent of the elected members of the State Legislative Assembly or 10 elected members, whichever is fewer.
Rajkumar Lohani’s nomination was rejected for failing to submit the mandatory Form 26 affidavit by the 3 PM deadline on November 2, 2026.
The deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended at 3 pm on November 5. Since no other candidate remained in the contest, Puri was elected unopposed to the Upper House.
The seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of Union Minister of State L Murugan on October 14. His term in the Upper House was originally slated to conclude on April 2, 2030.
Puri filed his nomination papers at the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Bhopal on October 31 in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Deputy Chief Ministers Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda, BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal, state cabinet ministers and other party leaders. (ANI)
‘From fragile 5 to $4 trillion economy’: Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress during 'Loktantra Bachao' march in Chandigarh
