AAP govt ignored flood warnings, let illegal mining weaken dykes, says BJP

The BJP on Tuesday issued a “chargesheet” against the state's AAP government, accusing it of repeatedly ignoring flood warnings and allowing illegal mining along the riverbanks, leading to breaches due to “weakened embankments”. “The recent devastating floods have laid bare a monumental collapse of governance, preparedness and accountability under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab,” said the chargesheet.

State BJP working president Ashwani Sharma told mediapersons at the party headquarters that the document highlighted reasons for poor flood management.

“Despite repeated warnings, expert reports and vast resources at its disposal, the Punjab Government failed miserably to protect its people or respond effectively,” he alleged. “No inquiry was ever completed and key recommendations ignored. Even when the Meteorological Department issued early warnings, the AAP government's response remained reactive rather than proactive. CM Bhagwant Mann was busy touring outside the state while Punjab drowned in distress,” he added.

Sharma claimed multiple reports had identified 133 vulnerable points along Punjab's rivers. “Instead of taking urgent preventive measures, the government allowed rampant illegal mining near riverbanks, which weakened embankments and caused breaches,” he alleged.

"The collapse of the Madhopur floodgates, left in disrepair but falsely certified as safe, unleashed devastation across Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Amritsar, leaving countless families ruined,” he said.

The BJP leader alleged that Rs 12,500 crore available in the SDRF, given by the Centre to the state government, was diverted by Mann and his Finance Minister Harpal Cheema for routine administrative expenses. “The government's relief operations became publicity stunts and photo-ops, replacing real action. Boats, food and medical aid were in critically short supply. The Chief Minister's absence from flood-hit districts and his constant blame game against the Centre exposed his utter insensitivity toward Punjab's suffering people,” Sharma alleged.