SAS Nagar, March 14: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today strongly condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah for failing to offer any solutions to the state's key issues during his visit to Punjab. He noted that while the people had high hopes regarding MSP, farm debt waivers, and a special financial package, they were ultimately met with nothing but disappointment. The Chief Minister alleged that the BJP-led Central Government is consistently engaging in discriminatory practices against Punjab—withholding funds rightfully due to the state, ignoring farmers' demands, and failing to take action regarding large consignments of narcotics seized outside the state's borders—while simultaneously attempting to malign Punjab's reputation.
He asserted that, despite these challenges, the Punjab government is taking concrete steps to curb drug abuse, strengthen the economy, and attract investment. He highlighted that the 'Progressive Punjab Investors Summit' is receiving overwhelming support from the industrial sector, and investors are actively exploring new business opportunities within the state.
Speaking to the media today on the sidelines of the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked that the farmers and citizens of Punjab had anticipated that concrete decisions would be taken to address their concerns. "We had hoped that Amit Shah would speak about a Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt waivers, or a special financial package for Punjab; instead, he simply departed after casting aspersions upon the people of Punjab," he said. He further added that the people of Punjab were eagerly awaiting major announcements, such as a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price for crops, the waiver of agricultural loans, and other welfare measures for farmers.
The Chief Minister also criticized the Centre for withholding funds legitimately due to Punjab. "The Modi government has frozen Punjab's Rural Development Fund (RDF) and GST dues, and has yet to release the ?1,600 crore in flood relief assistance," Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated. He stated that despite the grandiose claims made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding flood relief worth ?1,600 crore, Punjab has not received even a single rupee from his announcement. He further added that during the devastating floods, leaders from the Centre visited Punjab merely as "tourists"—posing for photographs before departing.
Raising the issue of gangsterism, the Chief Minister asserted that the Central Government has failed to resolve this problem at the national level. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked, "The BJP government has provided refuge to Punjab-based gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in a Gujarat jail, and permission is not even being granted to bring him back to Punjab." He characterized gangsterism as a national issue posing a grave threat to the country's unity, integrity, and sovereignty, and criticized the Central Government for its failure to curb it.
Addressing the issue of narcotics, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that preventing cross-border smuggling across the international frontier is primarily the responsibility of the Centre. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Preventing the smuggling of narcotics across the border is the Centre's responsibility; nevertheless, our government is installing anti-drone systems using its own funds to curb this menace." He further noted that, despite receiving no support from the Central Government, the Punjab government has deployed anti-drone technology along a 550-kilometer stretch of the border to thwart cross-border smuggling.
He also questioned the lack of action taken regarding major narcotics seizures occurring outside of Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, "Millions of tons of narcotics are being seized in Gujarat, yet no action is taken, whereas Punjab has launched the country's largest campaign against drugs." He pointed out that the entire nation is aware that approximately 3,000 kilograms of narcotics were seized at Gujarat's Mundra Port, yet no meaningful action has been taken against the culprits.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed that divisive politics would never succeed in Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, "The soil of Punjab is fertile, but the seeds of the BJP's politics of religion and hatred will never take root here."
Taking a jibe at the BJP's political ambitions in the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked, "In Punjab, the BJP remains confined to being a 'scooter party'—one that dreams of seizing power in 2027 with the assistance of the Congress."
He further added that Amit Shah's visit to Punjab failed to address the real issues confronting the people. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Amit Shah came to Punjab merely to badmouth us and left without accomplishing anything."
Questioning the BJP's claims regarding the upcoming assembly elections, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that the party lacks the organizational strength to contest the polls on its own. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asked, "Where will the BJP find 117 candidates to contest the elections independently in Punjab?" He further suggested that, given the BJP's lack of prominent leaders within the state, it is likely that the party will attempt to poach leaders from other political parties to field as candidates.
Raising the issue of narcotics, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asked, "3,000 kilograms of narcotics were seized at a port in Gujarat; why has no action been taken there?" He stated that, despite such a massive seizure, the BJP government has failed to take strict action against drug traffickers.
The Chief Minister further stated that the people of Punjab are well aware of the BJP's political nature. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked, "Punjab knows the BJP well; there is no place for the politics of hatred in Punjab." He recalled how Punjab's farmers were humiliated during the agitation against the farm laws, and how more than 700 farmers were martyred during that struggle.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also highlighted the achievements of the Punjab government, noting that it has already provided over 65,000 government jobs to the state's youth, whereas the BJP's promise of providing two crore jobs remains unfulfilled. He also remarked that the promised sum of ?15 lakh never materialized in the bank accounts of ordinary citizens.
Criticizing the Central Government, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the Centre has withheld Punjab's legitimate share of funds—including RDF, GST, NHM, and other allocations—thereby adversely impacting the state's development. He characterized this as an attempt to derail Punjab's progress, peace, and prosperity.
He further noted that the Punjab government has repeatedly recommended the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report in the interest of farmers, yet the Centre has failed to act upon it. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann further warned that the proposed India-US agreement could have a detrimental effect on farmers.
The Chief Minister added that Punjab borrows funds from the very same sources utilized by BJP-ruled states, and that this productive borrowing is utilized to provide services and amenities to the people. He remarked that the BJP is unable to stomach the Punjab government's pro-people welfare policies.
Regarding the Central Government, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that it is unfortunate that the country finds itself in a situation where the Centre appears to lack a clear foreign policy to safeguard national interests.
Meanwhile, speaking about the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit, the Chief Minister noted that the event has received an overwhelming response from industrialists and investors. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, "The Progressive Punjab Investors Summit has received tremendous support."
He further added that this summit has created a robust platform for collaboration and investment. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked, "Investors are discussing business opportunities in Punjab with one another."