As Punjab slowly moves toward the 2027 Assembly elections, political rhetoric is sharpening, and governance records are increasingly under scrutiny. The upcoming elections are crucial for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party to defend its mandate, for the Congress to regain lost ground, and for the BJP to expand its footprint in the state. Against this backdrop, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s growing political engagement in Punjab is drawing significant attention.
Speaking at a public gathering in Samrala, Ludhiana district, Mr. Saini questioned the credibility of the Punjab government’s welfare promises, alleging that the state leadership has relied more on words than action over the past four years. He remarked that governance cannot survive on rhetoric alone and that people ultimately judge governments by work visible on the ground.
In a sarcastic yet pointed remark, the Chief Minister said that jokes do not fill people’s stomachs. He alleged that despite spending four years in power, the Punjab government has failed to deliver on major commitments made during the elections. He said people across the state are now asking what happened to the promises that once shaped the political narrative.
One of the key issues highlighted by Mr. Saini was financial assistance for senior citizens. He recalled that the Punjab government had promised ₹2,500 per month to elderly citizens during the elections. However, he said four years have passed and this promise remains unfulfilled. In contrast, he pointed out that Haryana’s double-engine government is providing a respect allowance of ₹3,200 per month to senior citizens.
The Chief Minister also raised the issue of women-centric welfare schemes. He said the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress had promised monthly financial assistance to women in several states, including Punjab, where ₹1,100 per month was promised. Despite being in power for four years, he claimed not a single woman has received the promised amount. He contrasted this with Haryana’s Lado Laxmi Yojana, under which ₹2,100 is being provided to women.
Mr. Saini further highlighted Haryana’s agricultural policies, stating that farmers in the state receive the highest sugarcane price in the country at ₹415 per quintal. He said the Haryana government is purchasing all crops at Minimum Support Price and has transferred ₹1.64 lakh crore directly into the accounts of nearly 12 lakh farmers.
He challenged the Punjab government and Congress leaders to clearly state whether they are willing to guarantee MSP procurement for all crops grown by Punjab’s farmers. According to him, such transparency is essential as elections approach and political accountability becomes unavoidable.
As Punjab’s political temperature rises, Mr. Saini’s remarks reflect a broader BJP strategy to contrast governance models while appealing to voters dissatisfied with unfulfilled promises. His statements suggest that welfare delivery will remain a central theme in the political discourse leading up to 2027.
