Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday alleged that the Congress, during their rule, used to treat the poor only as votebank whereas the Narendra Modi government initiated several schemes for their benefit and brought smiles on the faces of the poor.

The Congress only exploited the poor. They gave the slogan of ‘garibi hatao’ but took no steps towards poverty alleviation, he said.

“The Congress only gave lollipop to the poor. They failed to do anything for their development, for their interests, despite being in power for a long time,” Saini told reporters here after a meeting with BJP national vice president Saudan Singh.

“As against this, during the past 10 years, Modi has brought smiles on the faces of the poor,” said Saini.

He also said more than 25 crore Indians have been pulled out from poverty during the Modi government’s time.

So many schemes have been started for the poor by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre which the Congress cannot digest. Their problem is why Modi is so concerned about the welfare of the poor, he said.

Saini targeted the opposition over their claims that the ruling BJP may change their Lok Sabha candidates on a few seats in Haryana and said they were speaking lies. The opposition is feeling jittery, he said.

“They have been unable to field their candidates and now they are coming out with this propaganda and speaking lies. They want to divert public attention,” Saini said.

When BJP Hisar Lok Sabha candidate Ranjit Singh Chautala was asked there are speculations that the party could change him from the seat, he said some people deliberately spread such rumours.

Ranjit Chautala told reporters in Hisar on Thursday that as long as the elections last, such rumours will be spread by some people.