Chandigarh: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Union government over pending financial dues, flood relief funds and the Centre’s approach to tackling drug trafficking, even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the BJP’s “Badlav” rally in Moga.
Punjab Cabinet Minister and state AAP president Aman Arora, speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, said Punjab deserved “answers, not slogans” from the Centre on several long-pending issues affecting the state’s finances and development
Arora said nearly ₹8,300 crore in Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Market Development Fund (MDF) dues had been withheld by the Centre for almost four years, slowing rural infrastructure projects and the development of agricultural mandis across Punjab. He also highlighted the financial strain on the state after the GST compensation regime ended in 2022, saying Punjab had suffered revenue losses estimated between ₹55,000 crore and ₹60,000 crore, and urged the Centre to provide a clear mechanism to bridge the gap.
The minister further questioned the delay in releasing ₹1,600 crore in flood relief funds promised after devastating floods hit the state, saying the funds were urgently required to rebuild infrastructure and support affected communities.
Arora also demanded a special industrial package for Punjab, arguing that incentives granted to neighbouring hill states had drawn investment away from Punjab for decades.
On the issue of drug trafficking, Arora said the problem was not confined to state borders and required stronger coordination between the Centre and states, stressing that tackling the narcotics trade needed a national strategy rather than political accusations.
Reacting to the BJP rally addressed by Shah in Moga, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang described the event as a “mega flop”, saying it featured strong rhetoric but offered little in terms of concrete solutions to Punjab’s concerns. Kang said the rally did not address several key issues important to the state, including a legal guarantee of MSP for farmers, the long-pending issue of Bandi Singhs, and financial dues owed to Punjab.
He also questioned the Centre’s promise of making Punjab drug-free in two years through agencies such as the Border Security Force and the Narcotics Control Bureau, noting that both agencies already function under the Union government. “If these mechanisms already exist, where is the new roadmap to curb cross-border narco-drug terrorism from across the Pakistan border?” Kang asked.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, he added, had repeatedly urged the Union government to strengthen border vigilance and stop the drug menace at its source.
AAP leaders also criticised the absence of any announcement during the rally regarding Punjab’s financial dues, flood relief funds or the state’s claim over Chandigarh, saying the state deserved respect, justice and an honest partnership from the Centre.
