Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Chief Spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent visit to Punjab, calling it a "flop show" and alleging that the visit failed to address the state's key concerns.
Addressing a press conference along with AAP leader Gurpratap Singh, Dhaliwal claimed that the Prime Minister's visit offered no concrete relief for Punjab and accused him of making "hollow statements" that were intended to mislead the public.
Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Dhaliwal alleged that the party had misused public faith during the construction of the Ram Mandir, claiming that donations collected in the name of the temple were misappropriated. He further alleged that the BJP had failed to uphold transparency and accountability.
Dhaliwal also accused the Prime Minister of favouring industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani over the interests of ordinary citizens. He alleged that the Union Government has withheld thousands of crores of Punjab's Rural Development Fund (RDF) and other financial dues. He said that while the Centre criticises Punjab for borrowing, it continues to hold back funds that rightfully belong to the state.
Defending the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government, Dhaliwal said that every loan raised by the state is being utilised for public welfare, including improvements in healthcare, education, roads, pensions, and other essential services, rather than benefiting private industrialists.
Criticising the Centre's decision to blend 20 per cent ethanol with petrol, Dhaliwal termed the policy an additional financial burden on consumers. He questioned the legal basis for its implementation, alleging that while it was projected as a measure to reduce fuel costs, fuel prices have instead increased. According to him, the policy benefits a select few companies while the common public bears the financial burden.
On the issue of drug trafficking, Dhaliwal blamed the BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal alliance government for the spread of narcotics in Punjab. He said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly urged the Union Government to install advanced anti-drone systems along Punjab's 532-kilometre international border with Pakistan to curb the smuggling of drugs and weapons, but claimed that no effective action has been taken by the Centre.
He also criticised the Prime Minister for not addressing farmers' concerns during the visit. Dhaliwal alleged that despite the deaths of 720 farmers during various protests and the Centre's announcement of ₹1,600 crore in assistance for flood-affected people, Punjab has not received the promised financial support.
Referring to the proposed India-US trade agreement, Dhaliwal said the Prime Minister failed to clarify its likely impact on Punjab's farming community. He claimed that farmers' concerns have been consistently ignored while the Centre continues to focus on political messaging.
Concluding his remarks, Dhaliwal said the Prime Minister "came empty-handed and left empty-handed," asking Punjab BJP leaders to explain what tangible benefits the visit brought to the state.
He added that while the Punjab Government provided ₹20,000 per acre as compensation to flood-affected farmers along with other relief measures, the Union Government had failed to fulfil its commitments. He described the Prime Minister's visit as "adding insult to injury" for the people of Punjab.
