INLD’s Sampat Singh attacks BJP’s ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan’, alleges misuse of State machinery

Indian National Lok Dal leader Sampat Singh lambasted the BJP's "Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan" on Sunday, alleging its misuse of state resources and disregard for democratic norms. Addressing a press conference in Gurugram, Singh criticized the month-long campaign, stating that it prioritized self-glorification over serving the public. The BJP's month-long spectacle, he argued, was a manifestation of contemporary India's tendency to replace meaningful governance with grand displays.

Singh highlighted how administrative machinery, from district collectors to municipal bodies, was misused to orchestrate the campaign. Public schools were compelled to host elaborate deepotsav programs, with teachers and students forced to burn hundreds of lamps under administrative pressure. This excessive use of resources, he claimed, amounted to moral and financial corruption, squandering public funds on grandiose events.

Adding to the hypocrisy, Singh pointed out the Prime Minister's contradictory messaging. While urging citizens to conserve resources and reduce oil consumption, the government simultaneously engaged in a massive, oil-guzzling lamp-burning spree. This blatant disregard for public interests was further compounded by the government's regressive 0.4% tax on UPI transactions above ₹2,000, a move allegedly influenced by external pressures, particularly from the United States.

The current economic climate, marked by soaring prices and a regressive tax, was exacerbating financial difficulties for ordinary households. Moreover, geopolitical tensions like the Hormuz and Red Sea crises posed significant risks to India's supply chains. Singh's criticism underscored the growing concern over the misuse of state machinery and the erosion of democratic values in the name of populist campaigns.