Political Heat Rises in Punjab: Leaders Clash Over Governance at Panchayat Aaj Tak

The current political scenario, law and order, and upcoming electoral equations in Punjab were heavily debated at the special session 'Sadda Punjab, Ethe Rakh!' of 'Panchayat Aaj Tak Punjab'. Senior leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), and Congress presented their viewpoints on state development, democracy, and electoral strategies, launching sharp political attacks against one another.

AAP's Governance Claims vs Opposition Criticism

Baltej Pannu, the state media in-charge for the Aam Aadmi Party, firmly rejected the allegations of Punjab turning into a 'police state', stating that if a government truly representing common people was formed after independence, it was under AAP in 2022. He stated that canal water usage had increased significantly from 22% in 2022. Pannu added that Punjab's school infrastructure has surpassed Kerala to become number one in the country, and free cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh is being provided through Mohalla Clinics, which has built a safe environment attracting big industrial groups like Tata Steel.

On the other hand, senior Akali Dal leader Dr. Daljit Singh Chema countered these claims, raising serious questions over the democratic situation and law and order. Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling, he pointed out that re-elections were ordered in over 50 wards across Patiala Municipal Corporation, Banga Municipal Committee, and Dharamkot. He noted that a fact-finding committee headed by a retired High Court judge had previously reported that candidates were barred from filing nominations, papers were snatched, and voters were obstructed.

BJP and Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) Standpoints

BJP's Punjab Vice President Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa clarified that his party is preparing to contest all 117 assembly seats independently, understanding the pulse of the people. Addressing the law and order situation, he acknowledged that citizens currently feel unsafe in Punjab. Regarding crimes being operated from jails, he remarked that criminals in jails across various states do not mean they belong to a specific political party. Bajwa asserted that Punjab needs a resolute BJP government akin to the removal of Article 370 and the eradication of Naxalism, with a target to make Punjab completely drug-free by 2029 under Home Minister Amit Shah's leadership.

Meanwhile, Manpreet Singh Ayali of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) highlighted historical failures of traditional parties, noting that when the Akali Dal deviated from its core principles on issues like sacrilege and farm laws, both the Panth and farmers distanced themselves, leading to the party's reduction to just 3 seats in 2022. Targeting the Congress, he stated that historical injustices and human rights violations have alienated the Sikh community permanently.

Congress Attacks Both State and Central Governments

Senior Congress leader Birender Dhillon launched scathing attacks on both the central BJP government and the state AAP administration. He stated that despite the presence of the BJP at the centre and AAP's five-year rule in Punjab, the state has continued to lag behind in development. Cornering AAP on corruption, Dhillon stated that even the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) faces severe allegations, CBI raids are taking place, and their own ministers have ended up in jail. He emphasized that unemployment, drugs, and gangsters are at their peak, and mutual finger-pointing will not solve Punjab's problems.