Cheema follows Manpreets path employees may not throw political mud at AAP government

Bathinda, 26 August 2026:- Like Congress's then Finance Minister Manpreet Badal in 2021 before assembly elections, now Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has also become centre of protests by government employees. Manpreet Badal who won from Bathinda in 2017 by about 20 thousand votes had to face defeat by more than 63 thousand votes in 2022. At that time opposition of employees was also considered an important reason.
Being Finance Minister, Cheema has direct connection with demands of government employees and financial issues. Employee unions say that if Government does not solve issues soon, it may have political impact. In recent protests, more anger is being seen against Cheema rather than Chief Minister and other Ministers.
Last Sunday, thousands of government employees gathered in village Tolawal of Sangrur district for Old Pension Scheme and other demands and held protest march towards village Satauj of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. During this also, anger against Finance Minister was prominent. Before this, on 22 August, under leadership of ETT Teachers Union, about 180 teachers staged protest outside government residence of Finance Minister in Chandigarh demanding implementation of Punjab pay scales.
Teachers union alleges that Cheema while being Leader of Opposition in December 2021 had assured to solve the issue on priority basis after forming government, but issue is still pending. Sanjha Mulazam Manch also staged protest on 7 August for pending DA.
According to employee unions, on 27 August lakhs of government employees will take mass leave and hold protest demonstration. Apart from this, Safai Sewaks, Powercom, MNREGA, National Health Mission and employees of other departments are also struggling for various demands. These include demands of regularization, old pension and Punjab pay scales.

**No such thing: Pannu**
AAP spokesperson Baltej Pannu said that there is no such thing and Harpal Singh Cheema is a successful Finance Minister. He said that Punjab Government is holding continuous meetings with employees and issues will be resolved soon. He also denied possibility of any political loss to Government due to protests.