AAP outdid Cong in corruption: Nayab Saini

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday accused Punjab’s ruling AAP of “surpassing” the Congress in corruption and claimed that only the BJP could steer the state towards development.

Addressing a rally in Tarn Taran’s Jhabal in support of BJP nominee Harjit Singh Sandhu, he drew a parallel between economic conditions of his state and Punjab. He said it was only the BJP that could transform the state as ruling AAP had pushed it “backwards” in terms of economic progress while failing to fulfil its promises made ahead of the 2022 state Assembly elections.

“This bypoll is not ordinary one. It will decide the direction Punjab will take in future,” Saini said.

Saini also launched a scathing attack on AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being mired in corruption.

Highlighting achievements of the BJP government in Haryana, Saini said 1.25 lakh houses had been constructed for the poor, Ayushman Bharat cards issued to 1.5 crore people and Rs 500 crore spent on their treatment over the past 11 years.  He said the state had begun registration for a Rs 2,100 monthly pension scheme for women.

“In Punjab, AAP promised Rs 1,000 per month (stipend for women), but failed to deliver on it,” Saini remarked.

He said 13,500 poor families in Haryana had been allotted 100-yard plots and claimed Haryana was the only state where every crop was being procured at the minimum support price.

“If we want Punjab to progress at the same pace as Haryana, people must vote for the BJP,” he asserted.

Saini also questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the compensation provided to farmers for crop loss, alleging apathy towards farmers.

State BJP president Sunil Jakhar too slammed the AAP government over the law and order situation.

Jakhar added that only the BJP could root out corruption in Punjab and slammed Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring for his alleged “casteist remarks" against the late Dalit leader Buta Sigh.

He claimed that the remarks were made to benefit AAP in the bypolls and Warring wanted to avoid action in cases against him.