3 years of AAP Govt; Punjab faces its worst phase marked by failure, corruption, mismanagement: Chugh
STATE TIMES NEWS
CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR: A key organisational meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party was held at the BJP Office in Jalandhar under the leadership of BJP State Working President Ashwani Sharma. BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, along with the state BJP leadership, attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the ongoing Vande Matram Abhiyan, Run For Unity programmes, and the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, and held detailed discussions on preparations for the upcoming Zila Parishad Elections.
Chugh said these campaigns are not mere events but people-driven national missions that must reach every household in Punjab.
Chugh emphasised strengthening the organisation at the booth level ahead of the Zila Parishad elections, adding that the BJP must consolidate its presence from villages to towns. Progress reports of each campaign were reviewed and instructions were issued to speed up on-ground activities.
Ashwani Sharma said Punjab BJP will reach the people with discipline, service, and strong organisational commitment, ensuring the success of all ongoing campaigns. Representatives from departments, morchas, and cells also shared their updates and suggestions during the meeting.
Tarun Chugh said that as the AAP government completes three years in Punjab, it has become evident that the promise of honesty and change was nothing more than political deception. Chugh said that the state’s economic situation has collapsed due to mismanagement, disorder, and broken promises. He added that unemployment touching 18.8 percent exposes the government’s complete failure in handling Punjab’s economy.
Chugh said the power sector has been pushed into ICU by the government’s faulty policies. Government departments themselves defaulted on Rs. 2500 crore in power bills, while nearly Rs. 9,000 crore of the Rs. 20,400 crore subsidy commitment still remains unpaid. He said PSPCL was forced to borrow money to pay salaries and pensions, even taking an Rs. 800 crore loan in January 2024 to avoid default. The promise of 24×7 power never translated into reality, leaving people to suffer in peak summer, spending nights in their cars.
Chugh said the government that claimed honesty has become synonymous with corruption. The removal of Health Minister Vijay Singla for demanding commissions, MLAs involved in misconduct, bribery cases against Amandeep Arora, and crores of rupees recovered from DIG Harcharan Singh’s residence have made corruption the most defining feature of this government.
He said the sand and transport mafia have been given a free hand. Illegal mining has altered rivercourses, weakened bridges, and put villages at risk. The administration remains silent as the transport mafia continues its unchecked dominance.
Chugh said law and order has collapsed. Punjab witnessed 19 grenade attacks, resurgence of gangsters and extremist elements, and RPG attacks on police targets. Families, businessmen, and ordinary citizens are living under fear. Punjab today feels unsafe.
He added that administrative chaos defines this government. The 2025 floods were a man-made disaster due to the government’s lack of preparation. One minister held charge of a non-existent department for 20 months, highlighting the government’s inexperience. The cabinet was reshuffled seven times in three years, and major decisions were taken from Delhi, proving that the state government functioned on remote control.
Chugh said farmers suffered due to MSP delays and portal failures, women saw no progress on the Rs. 1000 monthly promise, and youth received no jobs or opportunities-only advertisements. Traders are battling insecurity and mafia pressures, while overdose deaths due to drugs have reached alarming levels.
Chugh said that Punjab now clearly sees that the government that claimed honesty has turned out to be the most corrupt and incompetent. Punjab is demanding answers, and this government will have to respond.