Capt Amarinder, Ashwani Sharma target AAP, promise corruption-and-gangster-free Punjab

Reiterating its commitment to form the next government in Punjab, BJP leader and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and party's state president Ashwani Sharma on Thursday gave a clarion call for a “corruption-free, gangster-free and harmonious Punjab,” blaming the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for plunging the state into lawlessness, drug menace, and economic distress.

In a major political development, several local leaders — including Sandeep Brar, former OSD to Capt Amarinder Singh — joined the BJP in Faridkot.

Addressing the gathering at Faridkot, Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma said that gangsters were ruling the state, operating freely and even giving interviews from jails — a situation unseen during the tenure of Capt Amarinder Singh.

“Today, there are two comedians — one in Punjab and the other in Ukraine — and both have destroyed Punjab and Ukraine respectively,” Sharma quipped, drawing a parallel between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Slamming the AAP’s pre-election slogan ‘Ek Mauka’ (Give us one chance), he said, “This one chance has ruined Punjab. They promised a corruption-free state, but those who once repaired mobiles and punctures are now living in big mansions.”

He alleged that multiple senior police officers were under the scanner for corruption, saying, “It’s not just one DIG — there are many others.” He further claimed that “those engaged in trade and consumption of drugs cannot make Punjab drugs-free.”

On the issue of women’s empowerment, Sharma said the AAP government had failed to deliver the promised Rs 1,000 monthly pension to women. “The government now owes a debt of Rs 48,000 on every woman in the state,” he added.

Meanwhile, Capt Amarinder Singh hit out at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, saying, “When I watch his programmes, it feels like watching a comedy show — not serious governance.”

He also blamed the Congress and the Akalis for the fragmentation of Punjab and the economic decline that followed.

He said that many Punjabis living in the US and other countries were facing severe hardships. “Punjab needs a government that can raise its issues effectively with the Centre,” he said.

Capt Amarinder also accused Pakistan of trying to weaken India’s border security by flooding border areas with drugs. “If our youth are weakened, our defence will be weakened too,” he warned.

Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, he said, “We need a strong leader like Modi to secure Punjab and the nation. Modi even disagreed with US President Trump when it was about India’s national interest.”

“Punjab cannot afford another mistake in 2027,” he cautioned, urging people to support BJP for a stable and secure future.