‘AAP has pushed Punjab backwards’: Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini targets Aam Aadmi Party at Lehragaga rally
Saini promises Haryana-model welfare schemes for Punjab if BJP comes to power, terms suicide of Punjab officer ‘condemnable’, and alleges large-scale corruption under AAP rule
Chandigarh, March 21
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, alleging that corruption and governance failure under AAP had distressed every section of society — and that the situation had become so dire that even government officials were being pushed to take extreme steps.
Addressing a public rally in Banarsi village of Lehragaga organised by youth leader Rakesh Singh Gill — who joined the BJP along with his supporters at the event — Saini said that once a BJP government was formed in Punjab under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welfare schemes on the lines of Haryana would be implemented for women, farmers, labourers and the youth.
“Governments come and go, but any government that forgets the basic needs of the people and remains focused only on publicity has no moral right to remain in power,” Saini said.
Invoking the recent suicide of a Punjab government officer, the Chief Minister called it unfortunate and condemnable, attributing it to a system rot under AAP that was leaving officials with no recourse.
Healthcare, drugs, industry: A litany of failures
Saini drew a pointed contrast between what he described as AAP’s broken promises and the ground reality in Lehragaga — a region he said was once known for its grain markets and business activity but was now losing its identity due to governmental neglect.
He said the much-publicised mohalla clinics had failed to deliver, with patients still travelling to Patiala, Ludhiana or even across the border to Haryana for serious medical care. Broken streets, a deteriorating education system and closing industries, he said, were the true legacy of the AAP government. The most alarming issue, he added, was the youth falling prey to drug abuse, while poor law and order continued to deter investment.
Haryana as a benchmark
Holding up his own government’s record, Saini said Haryana had demonstrated what was possible when the state and Centre shared the same vision. Under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana, he said, Rs 850 crore had been distributed across five instalments to 10 lakh women beneficiaries. Twenty-four crops were being procured at MSP in Haryana, with payments to farmers made within 48 hours — a sharp contrast, he alleged, to Punjab farmers who felt betrayed by AAP’s unfulfilled promises.
He further alleged large-scale corruption in the implementation of MGNREGA in Punjab, with no action taken so far, and said the AAP government had failed to increase old-age pensions even in its last budget despite repeated promises. Social security pensions in Haryana, by contrast, covered 44 lakh beneficiaries and had recently been increased, he said.
‘Kejriwal taking Punjab’s resources to Delhi’
Saini accused AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal of siphoning Punjab’s resources to Delhi while the state’s own people remained deprived of development. “The country and the state need experienced and responsible governance, not experimentation,” he said.
He also said his residence remained open round the clock for people from Punjab, but urged voters to resolve to remove the present government in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Among those present at the rally were Political Secretary to the CM Tarun Bhandari, BJP District President Sangrur Daman Bajwa, former Chairman Mahender Singh Gill and Zila Parishad Vice-Chairperson Rajrani Gill.
