Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress in Punjab, accusing both parties of failing to address unemployment, drug trafficking and illegal mining, while promising to implement Haryana's development model if the BJP comes to power in the state in 2027.
Addressing public rallies in Hoshiarpur, Dasuya and Jalandhar, Saini urged voters to give the BJP an opportunity to restore Punjab's prosperity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Targeting Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Saini alleged that the AAP government was relying on humour and political rhetoric instead of focusing on governance and development.
"Mann comes on stage, cracks jokes and leaves. Jokes work in cinema halls, not in governance. Tell the people what work your government has actually done," he said.
At the Jalandhar rally, Saini described the AAP administration as a "Chutkulon Ki Sarkar" (government of jokes), claiming that people wanted a government focused on development and public welfare.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐, ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐บ
Saini accused the Congress and AAP of misleading voters with promises that remained unfulfilled.
Referring to the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, he said the Congress had promised to eradicate drug abuse and provide employment to every household but failed to deliver on these commitments.
He alleged that the drug menace had instead worsened during the Congress government's tenure.
Taking a swipe at former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi over his criticism of illegal mining, Saini suggested that the Congress leader should take Mann on a tipper truck to show him the mining activities that allegedly occurred under both administrations.
Saini claimed that illegal mining had continued despite changes in government and accused the two parties of failing to address the problem.
๐ค๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ท๐ผ๐ฏ๐
The Haryana Chief Minister questioned the Punjab government's claim of providing more than 70,000 jobs, arguing that the figure fell short of the commitments made to voters.
He also alleged irregularities in recruitment, claiming that children of influential individuals had benefited from corrupt practices at the expense of deserving candidates from economically weaker backgrounds.
Drawing a comparison with Haryana, Saini said his government had provided 46,500 government jobs during the first two years of its third term through merit-based recruitment.
He added that recruitment for another 15,000 posts was underway.
Saini claimed that more than two lakh young people had secured government employment in Haryana over the past 12 years through transparent recruitment without "parchi-kharchi", a reference to alleged favouritism and bribery in appointments.
He said similar recruitment policies would be introduced in Punjab if the BJP formed the government.
๐๐ฟ๐๐ด ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐น๐ฎ๐ด๐ด๐ฒ๐ฑ
Saini also criticised the Mann government over its handling of drug trafficking, saying AAP had promised to eliminate the menace within six months of assuming power.
He alleged that the problem continued to affect Punjab's youth and claimed that people who reported drug trafficking were facing harassment.
According to Saini, several Punjab residents had complained to him that cases were being registered against those who raised concerns about the illegal trade.
Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's commitment to making India drug-free by 2029, Saini said the BJP would pursue the same objective in Punjab.
He warned that those involved in drug trafficking would have only two options under a BJP government: abandon the illegal trade or leave the state.
Highlighting Haryana's efforts to engage young people in sports and fitness, Saini said monthly marathons involving more than one lakh participants were being organised to promote healthy lifestyles and discourage drug abuse.
๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐บ๐ ๐พ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ
The Chief Minister challenged the Punjab government to disclose details of its mohalla clinic programme.
He asked how many clinics had been established, how many people had received free treatment and what healthcare facilities were being provided to residents.
Saini alleged that the government had failed to adequately explain the outcomes of its healthcare initiatives despite making extensive promises.
He also questioned the AAP administration's handling of law and order, asserting that peace and stability would be restored under a BJP government.
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ
Saini said the BJP would implement several policies from Haryana in Punjab if it won the 2027 Assembly elections.
These included transparent government recruitment, procurement of all 24 crops at minimum support price (MSP) and welfare schemes for women, farmers, senior citizens and economically weaker sections.
Describing Punjab as Haryana's elder brother, he said he wanted the state to regain its position among the country's leading states.
Saini recalled that Haryana was carved out of Punjab on November 1, 1966, and said the state had established a distinct identity in India and abroad over the past six decades.
He appealed to Punjab voters to support the BJP in the forthcoming elections, saying the party would prioritise development, employment, transparency and public welfare.