Haryana CM Nayab Saini Intensifies Political Offensive in Punjab Ahead of Assembly Polls

BJP leader holds rallies across border state, contrasts Haryana’s ‘double engine’ governance with AAP government’s unfulfilled promises

SAMRALA (LUDHIANA) — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is significantly ramping up his political activities in neighboring Punjab, positioning himself as a key campaigner for the BJP ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections. His aggressive push into Punjab’s political landscape signals the party’s strategy to leverage cross-border governance comparisons to make electoral gains.

Addressing a large public gathering in Samrala, Ludhiana district on Sunday, Saini launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, while projecting Haryana as a model of effective governance that Punjab should emulate.

Cross-Border Campaign Strategy

The Haryana Chief Minister’s increased presence in Punjab represents a calculated political move by the BJP to expand its footprint in a state where it has traditionally struggled. By directly engaging with Punjabi voters and drawing unfavorable comparisons between the two states, Saini is attempting to position himself as both a critic of the incumbent government and a messenger of the BJP’s development narrative.

“The model presented by Haryana can become the foundation of good governance across the country,” Saini told the crowd, before urging Punjab voters to “show the way out of power to those who seek votes by telling lies.”

Sharp Attack on AAP Government

Saini’s address focused heavily on what he characterized as the AAP government’s failures over its four-year tenure. He systematically contrasted Haryana’s welfare schemes with Punjab’s unfulfilled promises, using specific figures to buttress his critique.

According to Saini, while the Haryana government provides Rs 3,200 per month as pension to senior citizens, Punjab’s promise of Rs 2,500 remains unimplemented even after four years. Similarly, he highlighted that Haryana’s Lado Laxmi Yojana provides Rs 2,100 to women, whereas Punjab’s commitment of Rs 1,100 monthly assistance has allegedly not materialized.

“Four years have passed, but no work has been done. Jokes cannot fill stomachs,” Saini remarked, taking a jibe at the Punjab Chief Minister’s public persona.

Governance Record as Campaign Tool

The Haryana CM repeatedly cited his government’s performance metrics as evidence of superior governance. He claimed that the double engine government in Haryana fulfilled 54 out of 217 electoral promises within just one year, contrasting this with what he described as AAP’s pattern of broken commitments.

Saini also highlighted Haryana’s agricultural support mechanisms, stating that the state has transferred Rs 1,400 crore directly to farmers under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana and provided Rs 15,500 crore as crop damage compensation over 11 years. He challenged both AAP and Congress leaders to match these figures with their own records.

VB-G Ram-G Act Controversy

In a pointed political move, Saini addressed the recent resolution passed by Punjab’s Assembly opposing the central government’s VB-G Ram-G Act. He termed the opposition “baseless,” claiming the resolution contained “no data, no facts, and no suggestions for improvement.”

The Haryana CM then pivoted to allegations of corruption in Punjab’s MGNREGA implementation, citing social audit findings that revealed approximately 10,663 cases of financial embezzlement in gram panchayats. He questioned why no action had been taken despite these findings, while emphasizing that Haryana provides the highest daily wage of Rs 400 to laborers in the country.

Issues of Drugs and Unemployment

Saini also targeted the AAP government on two of Punjab’s most sensitive issues: drug addiction and unemployment. He questioned what concrete steps had been taken to address these challenges, claiming that Haryana provided 34,000 jobs to youth in the past year through transparent processes.

“The youth of Punjab are distressed due to drug abuse and unemployment and are being forced to migrate abroad through illegal routes,” Saini said, adding that the Punjab government had “failed to provide any permanent solution and is only indulging in politics.”

Political Implications

Saini’s aggressive campaigning in Punjab comes at a crucial time when the BJP is looking to expand its presence in states where it lacks a strong organizational base. By personally leading the charge rather than relying solely on central leadership, the Haryana CM appears to be positioning himself as a regional face of the party’s expansion strategy.

Political analysts suggest that this approach serves multiple purposes. It allows the BJP to present a relatable regional leader who understands Punjab’s cultural context while maintaining the “double engine” narrative that has been central to the party’s electoral strategy. Additionally, Saini’s emphasis on comparative governance creates a direct accountability framework that puts pressure on the incumbent AAP government.

The rally in Samrala was attended by senior BJP leaders including State President Sunil Jakhar and Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, indicating the party’s coordinated approach to the Punjab campaign.

AAP’s Challenges

For the Aam Aadmi Party, Saini’s intensified political activities represent an additional challenge as it prepares to defend its governance record. The party will need to counter specific allegations about unfulfilled promises while dealing with broader criticisms about its handling of core issues like agriculture, employment, and drug abuse.

The upcoming assembly elections in Punjab are expected to be closely contested, with the AAP seeking to retain power, the Congress attempting a comeback, and the BJP hoping to make significant inroads. Saini’s visible and vocal campaign suggests that cross-border governance narratives will play a significant role in shaping voter perceptions.

As the election season intensifies, political observers will be watching whether Saini’s strategy of projecting Haryana’s governance model resonates with Punjab’s electorate or whether local issues and established party loyalties prove more decisive.