SAD attacks AAP, accuses Arvind Kejriwal of using drug issue to distract from real problems
PTC Web Desk: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday flayed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab following the presence of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the swearing-in ceremony for new village sarpanches. The SAD accused the AAP of running a "dual government" in Punjab.
During a press conference held in Chandigarh, SAD spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said, “A person who has been restricted by the Supreme Court from attending the Chief Minister’s Office in Delhi due to corruption charges was made the chief guest at the swearing-in ceremony in Punjab.”
Dr Cheema also took a dig at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, saying "he appeared overshadowed and ineffective in his own role". The SAD leader said, “Yesterday was supposed to be Chief Minister Mann’s day, but he did not come across as the leader. It feels as though Punjab is currently governed by two parallel administrations—one led by Arvind Kejriwal, whose orders Punjab officials adhere to, with files frequently being sent to Delhi for approval.”
Dr Cheema further alleged that the BJP, through its appointed Governor, was running another government in Punjab. He said, “While the Governor holds significant stature and responsibilities, it appears as if there is a parallel administration governing the border region of Punjab from Delhi. Amid these two power centres, the 92-member government elected by the people of Punjab has become practically invisible.”
Dr Cheema also criticised Arvind Kejriwal for bringing up the drug abuse problem without offering solutions. “Kejriwal spoke about drug issues again, which everyone knows is a longstanding problem. However, he failed to provide any solutions. If he once claimed that political leaders were behind the drug trade, he should now clarify who is responsible,” Dr Cheema asserted.
The SAD spokesperson accused both the AAP and the central governments of diverting attention from core issues by focusing on less relevant topics. “While they talk about drug abuse, the real issues remain unaddressed. There’s no space left in grain markets for paddy, farming is in decline, and DAP fertilisers are in short supply. These are critical concerns, yet no one is discussing them. Paddy lifting is still pending, but neither Kejriwal nor the central BJP government paid attention to it,” Dr Cheema pointed out.
Dr Cheema also targeted newly appointed Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, questioning his commitment to Punjab’s agricultural challenges. “Bittu has become the Minister of State for Railways. If he was serious about addressing Punjab’s needs, why weren’t additional trains deployed to expedite the lifting of paddy? Had that been done, Punjab would have at least felt the presence of a Union Minister representing its interests,” Dr Cheema stated.
- PTC NEWS
