Punjab freebies could end if Congress returns to power : Kejriwal

Punjab Newsline | New Delhi/Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab AAP spokesperson Baltej Pannu and state unit president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora have criticised the Congress over remarks by its leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on subsidies, warning that key welfare schemes in Punjab could be discontinued if the party forms the government.

The controversy erupted after Raja Warring reportedly said at an event that subsidies should be withdrawn from people who do not need them and provided to those who genuinely require assistance.

Reacting to the statement, Kejriwal warned Punjab residents that a Congress government could discontinue free electricity and financial assistance for women. He urged voters not to be misled by the Congress and maintained that the AAP government was committed to providing relief to households.

Following Kejriwal’s remarks, Baltej Pannu held a press conference, alleging that the Congress could use Punjab’s financial difficulties as a pretext to end welfare schemes. He said the AAP government had provided relief to millions of families through free electricity and other public welfare initiatives.

Aman Arora also addressed a press conference, targeting the Congress over Warring’s statement. He claimed that a Congress government could discontinue several benefits, including free electricity, healthcare coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh, monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 for eligible women, and facilities provided through government schools and hospitals.

AAP leaders maintained that the party’s welfare initiatives were aimed at reducing the financial burden on families and improving their standard of living. They accused the Congress of creating uncertainty over the future of these schemes.

Congress leader’s comments have triggered a political exchange between the two parties as Punjab’s welfare policies and subsidy provisions become a point of contention ahead of the next Assembly elections.

The claims regarding the possible discontinuation of schemes reflect the AAP leaders’ interpretation of Warring’s remarks; the statement about targeting subsidies at those who need them does not, by itself, establish that all the schemes would be scrapped.