Chandigarh, January 4: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party will form the government in Punjab under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2027 Assembly elections and transform the state into one of the country’s leading regions. Launching a sharp attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, he alleged that the party came to power on false promises and has since failed to deliver, pushing Punjab into crisis.
Addressing a public gathering at the grain market in Ghanaur, Patiala district, near the Haryana–Punjab border, the Chief Minister said Punjab is grappling with growing drug abuse, unemployment and repeated breaches of promises made to the people. He alleged that despite completing nearly four years in power, the Aam Aadmi Party government has failed to fulfil even a single major commitment made before the elections. Saini said that once the BJP comes to power in Punjab, development will be carried out on the lines of Haryana.
Referring to political perceptions in the past, Saini said there was a time when it was claimed that Haryana was not favourable for the BJP. However, since 2014, the party has formed the government three consecutive times in the state, which, he said, reflects public trust in BJP’s governance. He expressed confidence that a similar political shift would take place in Punjab.
The Chief Minister accused the Aam Aadmi Party of worsening the drug problem despite promising to eradicate it before coming to power. He said promises of employment generation have remained unfulfilled and cited delays and shortfalls in welfare schemes. He claimed that assurances such as providing ₹1,000 to women and increasing old-age pension to ₹2,500 were never implemented, with senior citizens still receiving ₹1,500 pension, often after delays of several months.
Highlighting Haryana’s governance model, Saini said the BJP government in the state fulfilled its promises soon after assuming office. He pointed out that subsidised LPG cylinders at ₹500 were introduced immediately and financial assistance of ₹2,100 is being provided to women under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana. He added that Haryana offers the highest old-age pension in the country at ₹3,200. He also recalled that the BJP government issued appointment letters to 25,000 youth soon after taking charge, keeping its commitment to employment generation, and ensured procurement of all crops at Minimum Support Price.
Saini also spoke about initiatives taken by the Haryana government to honour Sikh Gurus, stating that a resolution was passed in the Haryana Assembly to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He said month-long programmes were organised across the state, including seminars, essay competitions and blood donation camps, to spread awareness among the younger generation about the Guru’s sacrifice. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Kurukshetra last month to pay tribute and released a commemorative coin, postage stamp and a coffee table book in Guru Tegh Bahadur’s memory.
Taking a dig at AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Saini alleged that governance in Punjab comes to a standstill after evening hours and accused the state government of failing to deliver on its commitments. He said that while previous Congress governments faced allegations of corruption, the current Punjab government has surpassed them, with ministers facing legal action and public money being misused.
Citing relief measures, Saini compared compensation figures and said Haryana has disbursed significantly higher amounts to farmers for crop damage and provided financial assistance to families affected by floods and other losses. He also highlighted the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu health schemes in Haryana, stating that a large section of the population is benefiting from free medical treatment, including senior citizens above 70 years of age.
The Chief Minister concluded by saying that only the BJP can put Punjab back on the path of progress. He said people of Punjab are disillusioned with the present government and expressed confidence that in 2027, Punjab will choose the BJP, paving the way for development on the Haryana model and making the state a national leader.
Former minister Asim Goyal, former Punjab minister Maharani Preneet Kaur, Punjab BJP vice-president Vikramjit Singh Cheema and programme organiser Vikas Sharma also addressed the gathering.
