The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Punjab, terming it a “flop show” and accusing the central government of failing to address the state’s critical concerns. The party specifically highlighted the pending release of funds, border security, and farmers’ issues as areas where the Prime Minister’s visit allegedly yielded no substantial outcomes.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that AAP Punjab chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal characterized the Prime Minister’s pronouncements during the visit as “hollow” and designed to mislead the public. Dhaliwal also directed criticism at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), contrasting the Prime Minister’s remarks labeling the Punjab Government as “kattar beiman” (extremely dishonest) with the BJP’s alleged exploitation of religious sentiments in the Ram Mandir case.
“Those who steal donations in the name of Ram Temple can never be honest towards the nation,” Dhaliwal stated, alleging that the BJP had openly benefited from donations solicited across the country for the Ram Mandir’s construction. He further contended that the Modi government’s policies had primarily served the interests of industrialists Ambani and Adani.
Dhaliwal accused the BJP-led Union Government of deliberately withholding Punjab’s Rural Development Fund (RDF) and other entitlements amounting to thousands of crores. He defended the Punjab Government’s borrowing, asserting that the funds were being allocated for public welfare initiatives, including improvements in hospitals, schools, roads, healthcare facilities, and pensions, and that the Centre’s criticism of the state’s loans was misplaced given their utilization for development.
The AAP leader also raised objections to the Centre’s policy mandating 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol. Dhaliwal argued that this policy had inadvertently increased the financial burden on consumers rather than contributing to a reduction in fuel prices.
Addressing the pervasive issue of drugs in Punjab, Dhaliwal attributed the spread of narcotics to the policies of the previous BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal government. He further criticized the central government for its perceived inaction in installing advanced anti-drone systems along the 532-kilometer India-Pakistan border. This failure, he claimed, persisted despite repeated requests from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann aimed at curbing the cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons.
Dhaliwal also pointed to the Prime Minister’s silence on key farmers’ concerns during the visit. These included demands for compensation for flood victims and concerns regarding the potential impact of a proposed India-US trade agreement on Punjab’s agricultural sector. He noted that despite an announcement of Rs 1,600 crore for flood relief by the Centre, the funds had not yet been disbursed.
The AAP spokesperson asserted that the Prime Minister “came empty-handed and returned empty-handed” from his visit. He challenged Punjab BJP leaders to provide details of any concrete offers made by the Centre to the state during the Prime Minister’s trip. Dhaliwal highlighted the Punjab Government’s proactive support for flood-affected farmers, providing compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre and other relief measures, in contrast to the Centre’s alleged failure to fulfill its commitments.
The Chenab Times News Desk