Haryana CM Saini accuses AAP of betraying Punjab, vows to continue welfare schemes

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday launched a fresh attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of betraying the trust of voters by failing to fulfil promises made to farmers, women and unemployed youth.

Saini questioned the Bhagwant Mann-led government's performance, alleging that several commitments made before the 2022 Assembly elections remained unfulfilled. He also defended the continuation of welfare schemes, stressing the importance of financial assistance for economically weaker sections.

The BJP leader said governments had a responsibility to translate electoral promises into concrete benefits rather than rely on announcements and publicity campaigns.

His remarks came amid intensifying political exchanges between the BJP and AAP over welfare policies, agricultural assistance and governance in Punjab ahead of the next Assembly elections.

𝐀𝐀𝐏'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝

Saini accused the Punjab government of failing to deliver on its commitments concerning employment generation, women's financial assistance and farmers' welfare.

He referred to AAP's electoral promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to women and questioned why the proposed assistance had not been implemented as originally promised.

The Haryana Chief Minister also raised concerns about employment opportunities for young people, alleging that the state government had failed to meet the expectations created during its election campaign.

Saini maintained that the people of Punjab deserved accountability from the government over its promises and expenditure.

He further criticised the AAP leadership for what he described as an excessive focus on political announcements instead of addressing public grievances.

The allegations were part of the BJP's continuing criticism of the Mann administration. They were political claims made by Saini rather than independently established findings.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬

Defending welfare assistance, Saini highlighted the Haryana government's efforts to provide direct financial support to eligible beneficiaries.

He said welfare programmes should provide meaningful relief to households facing financial difficulties and that governments must ensure benefits reached intended recipients.

The Chief Minister pointed to Haryana's direct benefit transfer initiatives as an example of delivering assistance through beneficiaries' bank accounts.

He also referred to measures undertaken by the BJP government to support women, farmers and other vulnerable sections.

The debate over welfare assistance has acquired political significance in Punjab, where the AAP government has defended its existing programmes and sought assurances regarding their continuation.

In October, the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution supporting the continuation of welfare schemes, including food assistance, social security pensions and pilgrimage benefits.

The resolution, moved by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, argued that such programmes helped households meet essential expenses and should be treated as entitlements rather than political favours.

𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬' 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝

Saini has also repeatedly criticised the Punjab government over compensation and payments to farmers, contrasting its performance with Haryana's agricultural support measures.

In recent remarks, he alleged that funds announced by the Centre for flood-affected Punjab had not been properly utilised for their intended purpose.

He claimed that the Punjab government had failed to ensure adequate compensation for farmers affected by natural calamities.

Saini also highlighted Haryana's procurement arrangements, saying the state government had taken steps to ensure timely payments to farmers for crops purchased at the minimum support price.

His allegations regarding the use of central assistance have not been independently established.

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬

The Haryana Chief Minister's criticism comes as political parties increase their engagement in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

AAP secured a decisive victory in the 2022 elections, winning 92 of the state's 117 Assembly seats and forming the government under Bhagwant Mann.

The BJP has since sought to expand its political presence in the state, focusing on issues such as employment, drug trafficking, agricultural distress and the implementation of welfare promises.

Saini has emerged as a prominent BJP voice in this campaign, frequently drawing comparisons between the governance records of Haryana and Punjab.

The AAP government, meanwhile, has defended its welfare initiatives and maintained that its policies are aimed at providing financial security and public services to ordinary households.

The continuing exchanges reflect the growing importance of welfare delivery and electoral accountability in Punjab's political contest, with rival parties seeking to establish their credentials on governance and public assistance.