Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Thursday launched an attack on the AAP government in the state, accusing it of pushing Punjab into a debt trap, failing to curb illegal mining and allowing law and order to deteriorate.
Addressing a BJP workers’ meeting in Ropar, Dhillon said the AAP government had failed to deliver on the promises of ‘badlav’ (change) that had brought it to power in 2022.
He said the enthusiastic response from BJP workers reflected a growing public sentiment in favour of the party and indicated that it was preparing to emerge as an alternative in Punjab.
Dhillon alleged that Punjab’s debt had increased from around Rs 2.82 lakh crore to nearly Rs 4.5 lakh crore under the present government, pushing the state towards financial distress.
He also questioned the AAP government’s anti-drug campaign, claiming that its promise to eradicate drugs remained unfulfilled and that organised crime, extortion, robberies and violent incidents had become routine across the state.
Drawing a comparison with the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, he said organised crime could be effectively controlled through strong governance.
The BJP state president accused the state government of failing to procure ‘moong’ at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) despite its assurances, leaving farmers in distress.
He said Punjab needed to move towards crop diversification while ensuring assured procurement.
Targeting the government over employees’ issues, Dhillon claimed that staff of Deputy Commissioner offices and Sewa Kendras, teachers and power utility workers had been forced to agitate over their demands.
He said the government had failed to implement its promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to women without imposing conditions.
Dhillon alleged that Ropar had become the capital of illegal mining in Punjab.
He said around 150 FIRs had been registered in mining-related cases, which, according to him, exposed the government’s claims of controlling the menace.
He attacked the government over mining revenue, alleging that despite pre-election claims that the sector could generate Rs 20,000 crore annually, the state had realised only around Rs 600 crore.
Dhillon credited the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Centre with expanding infrastructure and providing substantial financial assistance to Punjab.
He claimed that states governed by or allied with the BJP were witnessing faster development, while Punjab was lagging behind.
Calling upon party workers to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level, Dhillon urged them to take the Centre’s welfare schemes to every village and household.
He maintained that only the BJP could provide a stable alternative to the present government in Punjab.
Those present at the meeting included Parminder Singh Brar, Subhash Sharma and Ajay Veer Singh Lalpura.