Tue Feb 24 08:26:23 UTC 2026: Headline: Haryana Congress Protests BJP Government Over Corruption, Unemployment, and Farmers’ Issues

The Story:
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Haryana Congress, led by Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, staged a protest march to the Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh, targeting the BJP government. The protest focused on issues such as law and order, unemployment, farmers’ plight, and alleged corruption, including a recent ₹590 crore fraud reported by IDFC First Bank involving Haryana government accounts. Congress leaders demanded a CBI probe into the bank fraud and criticized the state government’s handling of various issues, claiming a decline in Haryana’s prosperity under BJP rule.

Key Points:

  • Haryana Congress protested against the BJP government on February 24, 2026, in Chandigarh.
  • Protest issues included law and order, unemployment, farmers’ plight, and corruption.
  • Congress demands a CBI probe into the ₹590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud.
  • Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticized the BJP for blaming Congress after 11 years in power.
  • Haryana Congress chief Rao Narender Singh participated in the march.

Critical Analysis:
The protest comes against a backdrop of other political events, including the arrest of Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib following a shirtless protest at an AI Summit. This suggests heightened political tensions and increased activism from the Congress party. The timing of the protest, following the revelation of a major fraud and the arrest of a prominent Youth Congress leader, indicates a strategic effort to capitalize on perceived vulnerabilities of the BJP government. The fact that the Haryana CM informed the assembly that Rs 578 crore was recovered from IDFC First Bank within 24 hours suggests the government is taking the charges seriously, but the Congress is still pushing for a full CBI investigation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Haryana Congress is actively attempting to challenge the BJP’s governance through street protests and demands for investigations into alleged corruption.
  • Recent events, such as the IDFC First Bank fraud and the arrest of a Youth Congress leader, are being used by the Congress to galvanize support and criticize the BJP.
  • The focus on issues like unemployment and farmers’ plight indicates an attempt to appeal to key voter demographics in Haryana.
  • The demand for a CBI probe reflects a lack of trust in the state government’s ability to impartially investigate the IDFC First Bank fraud.
  • The BJP government is under increasing pressure to address concerns about corruption and governance in the state.

Impact Analysis:
The Haryana Congress protest and the surrounding events could have a significant impact on the political landscape of the state. If the Congress is successful in highlighting the alleged failures of the BJP government, it could potentially gain ground in future elections. The IDFC First Bank fraud investigation, regardless of who conducts it, will likely be closely watched by the public and could influence public perception of both the government and the bank. The arrest of the Youth Congress leader could further escalate tensions between the two parties and lead to more protests and demonstrations. The long-term impact will depend on the outcome of the investigations, the public response to the protests, and the ability of both parties to effectively communicate their messages to the electorate.

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