He was flanked by ministers Shyam Singh Rana, Krishan Lal Panwar, Arvind Sharma, Mahipal Dhanda, Krishan Kumar Bedi and Vipul Goel, and Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli.

The country has seen 11 “glorious” years under the PM’s leadership, Saini said.

“During these 11 years, we have seen the rise of an India which takes pride in its heritage, faces challenges strongly and weaves ambitious dreams for the future,” he said.

The chief minister also hit out at the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government, saying it was plagued by corruption and policy paralysis.

During those days, corruption, regionalism and nepotism ruled the roost, and a transparent administration was lacking. There was a complete lack of fair governance, the chief minister alleged.

“It was a regime deeply immersed in scams and scandals. There was an atmosphere of negativity, fear and hopelessness,” he said.

Under Prime Minister Modi, the country experienced decisive leadership and a transparent administration. There has been an unprecedented change in the work culture and time-bound implementation of policies has been ensured, Saini said.

“Working on the principle of minimum government, maximum governance, processes have been simplified and public participation has been encouraged,” he said.

The country has also made rapid economic progress in the last 11 years, he added.

Saini also spoke about the steps taken by the Modi government for the welfare of various sections of society, including the poor, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes.

He also touched upon a number of steps and initiatives taken for the welfare of the farmers.

Saini described the Modi government’s 11 years as the “most transformative” phase of independent India. Today’s India is led by vision, not votebank politics, he said.

While the previous Congress-led governments often had weak decision-making and misplaced priorities, PM Modi gave India a clear vision, a strong direction, and an unwavering commitment to public welfare and nation-first governance, he said.

The PM took strong measures like demonetisation to crack down on black money and curb parallel economies, the chief minister said.

From Chandrayaan to exporting defence equipment, India is setting benchmarks. Under previous governments, such ambition was rarely seen, he said.

Saini listed the abrogation of Article 370, Citizenship Amendment Act, digital and financial reforms, and anti-terror surgical strikes as “bold decisions” taken by the Modi government.

Cultural pride has also been renewed through “monumental” steps like the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, he said.

From the world’s highest rail bridge, the Chenab bridge, linking the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country to Operation Sindoor, all became possible due to PM Modi’s strong leadership and decision-making, Saini said.

He said Modi’s development model is focused mainly on the upliftment of the poor, farmers, women and youth.

Responding to questions, Saini said the opposition has a habit of criticising the government for the sake of criticism.

“If a road is built, they will criticise; if we give gas connection to the poor, they will question it; and if we increase the MSP, they have a problem with that too. Whatever decision we take, they will oppose it,” he said.

Saini said it was due to India’s initiative at the United Nations that June 21 is now celebrated worldwide as International Yoga Day.

On this International Yoga Day, 11 lakh people practice yoga across Haryana, with state-level celebrations scheduled to be held in Kurukshetra, according to Saini.

The chief minister also highlighted how Haryana has been a direct beneficiary of the Modi government’s vision.

In the past 11 years, PM Modi visited Haryana 14 times, launching key projects like AIIMS Jhajjar, Bima Sakhi Yojana, Hisar airport and Yamunanagar thermal plant, Saini said.

The state now has 21 approved national highways, 12 of which are already operational. Solar rooftops under the PM Suryaghar Yojana are powering 17,000 homes in Haryana, with a target of powering 2 lakh in the coming year, he said.

The ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme, which was launched from Panipat in 2015, has helped in correcting the declining sex ratio, he added. PTI SUN DIV DIV