Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann, has launched a severe attack against Union Home Minister Amit Shah after his recent visit to Punjab. CM Mann expressed his disappointment that nothing concrete came out of Home Minister Shah’s visit to Punjab. He stated that he was expecting announcements regarding a Minimum Support Price (MSP) to be given to crops, a loan waiver, and a separate economic package.
The Chief Minister Mann further claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government has been "consistently discriminating" against Punjab. The Centre has been intentionally not giving the rightful funds to Punjab while also trying to tarnish its image by not paying heed to the issues of farmers. Specifically, Mann pointed to the non-release of Rural Development Fund (RDF) and GST dues, as well as ₹1,600 crore in flood relief compensation that remains stuck with the Union government. He bitingly referred to visits by central leaders during the recent floods as nothing more than "disaster tourism".
Security and crime also featured heavily in the Chief Minister's critique. Mann alleged that the Centre is effectively shielding the gangster Lawrence Bishnoi by keeping him in a Gujarat jail and preventing his transfer to Punjab for questioning. He further argued that while the responsibility for securing the 550km international border lies with the Centre, the Punjab government has been forced to use its own money to install anti-drone systems to tackle cross-border drug smuggling.
In a pointed comparison, Mann questioned why massive drug seizures at Gujarat’s Mundra Port — totalling some 3,000 kg — have seen so little follow-up action, while Punjab continues to be unfairly singled out despite launching the country’s most aggressive anti-narcotics campaign.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Assembly elections, the Chief Minister cast doubt on the BJP’s ability to stand on its own in the state. He questioned where the party would even find 117 candidates to field, suggesting they would likely resort to poaching leaders from rival parties to fill their ranks. Despite these obstacles, however, Mann said that the state was turning a corner and pointed to "overwhelming support" from industry leaders at the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit as a sign of economic growth.
Also read: BJP will bring law to check conversions in Punjab: Amit Shah
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