In a direct pitch to the OBC electorate ahead of next year’s state elections, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched a scathing attack on Punjab’s established political players today, accusing them of using the community as "mere vote banks."
Speaking at a Saini Samaj event in Gurdaspur’s Dinanagar, Saini claimed that for decades, power in Punjab has been hoarded by a handful of influential families. He argued that the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress only "rediscover" the Other Backward Classes when an election is on the horizon, only to sideline them once the budget and policy decisions are actually being made.
"The OBC community makes up 31 per cent of Punjab's population," Saini told the crowd. "You have the numbers to shift the entire axis of politics in this state. It is time you moved from the sidelines to a leading role in the leadership."
Saini had painted a dismal picture of the present state of affairs in Punjab, which included widespread drug abuse, unemployment, and crime. He had urged the gathering to use the forthcoming Assembly elections not only to change the party in power but to change the direction of the politics in the state itself.
He didn't miss the chance to highlight his own trajectory as a success story for the BJP’s inclusive approach. "Prime Minister Modi took an ordinary party worker like me and made me the Chief Minister of Haryana," he said, contrasting this with the dynastic politics he claims dominates Punjab.
Switching focus to his own track record, Saini — who is set to present his second budget in Haryana tomorrow — claimed that his government has already delivered on 60 of its 217 election promises. He pointed to free dialysis for kidney patients, MSP payments to farmers within 48 hours, and the 'Lado Lakshmi' scheme as proof that a BJP government "walks the talk."
The event, which saw the likes of Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma in attendance, also saw Saini pay tribute to the community’s heritage. He specifically mentioned Nek Chand Saini, the creator of Chandigarh’s iconic Rock Garden, as a symbol of the community’s contribution to the region’s cultural fabric.
Also read: Countdown for BJP's exit has begun: Kejriwal at Delhi rally
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