As Punjab enters a phase of heightened political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, governance issues such as labour welfare, corruption, drug abuse, and unemployment are returning to the centre of public debate. The electoral stakes are high for all major parties, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s increasing political presence in Punjab is signalling BJP’s intent to play a more assertive role in the state.
Addressing political workers and the public in Ludhiana district, Mr. Saini strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party government over its opposition to the VB-G Ram Ji Act, introduced by the Narendra Modi-led central government. Referring to a resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly on December 30, he said the resolution lacked data, facts, and constructive suggestions.
The Chief Minister expressed surprise that the Punjab government opposed the Act without presenting any alternative roadmap for labour welfare. He questioned what concrete steps the state government had taken to improve the lives of workers in Punjab, stating that political opposition should be rooted in substance rather than symbolism.
Mr. Saini also raised serious concerns over financial irregularities under the MNREGA scheme in Punjab. Citing social audit findings, he said that in 5,915 of the 13,304 Gram Panchayats audited, more than 10,600 cases of financial embezzlement were detected. Despite these findings and even after intervention by central teams, he alleged that no recovery was made and no action taken against those responsible.
He said public funds meant for workers’ wages were being misappropriated while genuine beneficiaries were denied their dues. In contrast, he claimed Haryana provides the highest wages to workers in the country at ₹400 per day and that the VB-G Ram Ji Act would further empower labourers.
The Haryana Chief Minister also questioned the Punjab government’s record on drug addiction and youth employment. He said four years have passed since the Aam Aadmi Party came to power, yet the government has failed to explain how many youths have been provided jobs, how many have been rehabilitated from drug addiction, and what action has been taken against drug networks.
Highlighting Haryana’s record, Mr. Saini said 34,000 youths were given government jobs in the past year without any fee or expense. He added that the Haryana government is actively working to protect young people from falling into drug abuse.
He further alleged that due to unemployment and drug addiction, many youths in Punjab are being forced to migrate abroad through illegal channels. Instead of addressing these root causes, he said the Punjab government is indulging in political theatrics.
Mr. Saini also criticised the Mohalla Clinic model, stating that similar clinics in Delhi failed to provide even basic medicines. He alleged that by promising to establish 16,000 Mohalla Clinics in Punjab without adequate infrastructure, the state government played with the expectations of the people.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, these sharp political interventions indicate that BJP is preparing to challenge the ruling party on governance fundamentals. Nayab Singh Saini’s statements suggest that issues of accountability, labour welfare, and youth empowerment will dominate Punjab’s political discourse in the coming years.
