Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today challenged Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal to an open debate over alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities in Punjab, while questioning the AAP leadership’s response to the issue.
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Targeting Kejriwal, Badal asked why he had not held a similar protest in Punjab for students as he had done in Delhi. He challenged Kejriwal to a public debate at any university in Punjab, claiming he would place before the public details of alleged paper leaks and the recruitment of candidates from outside the state.
Badal also alleged that a significant number of government jobs had gone to candidates from other states. Citing recruitment figures, he claimed 24 posts were filled by candidates from Haryana and 12 from Rajasthan among 68 Veterinary Inspector posts, while 600 candidates from Haryana and 100 from Rajasthan were recruited for 2,100 Lineman posts.
He announced that if the SAD returned to power in 2027, it would bring legislation to ensure government jobs in Punjab were reserved for Punjabis. He also promised incentives only to industrial units employing at least 75 per cent Punjabis.
Badal further announced plans to reserve 50 per cent seats in private universities for economically weaker Punjabi students, with the government bearing half the fee, and proposed extending the model to medical and veterinary colleges.
He also promised a World Skill University and interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for young entrepreneurs.
The SAD chief said the ‘Bhavikh Bachao Morcha’ agitation would continue until the ministers concerned resigned. Student leaders at the protest also sought an inquiry into the alleged Pharmacy paper leak.
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