PM Modi’s Punjab Visit a ‘Political Drama’, Failed to Answer Key Questions: Baltej Pannu

Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), describing the Prime Minister’s recent Punjab visit as a “political drama” filled with baseless allegations rather than meaningful solutions for the state.

In a video message, Pannu alleged that Prime Minister Modi visited Punjab only to level accusations against the Punjab government and returned without addressing the state's most pressing concerns.

“The Prime Minister had no answers for Punjab. He only repeated political allegations and rhetoric while remaining completely silent on the real issues affecting the people,” Pannu said.

Questioning the Prime Minister’s silence on several key issues, Pannu said Punjabis had expected answers but received none. He asked why the Centre had failed to explain the deaths of hundreds of farmers during the farmers’ agitation, why a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) was still pending, and why Punjab’s rightful share of central funds continued to be withheld.

“Punjab is being forced to survive despite not receiving funds that rightfully belong to the state, yet the Prime Minister offered no clarification on these matters,” he added.

Targeting the BJP’s “double-engine government” slogan, Pannu claimed that Punjabis had already witnessed its impact during the BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal alliance government from 2007 to 2017.

He alleged that it was during the BJP-Akali regime that drug addiction spread across Punjab, severely affecting the youth, while gangster culture also took root, the consequences of which the state continues to face.

Questioning the BJP’s appeal for another opportunity to govern Punjab, Pannu said the people had not forgotten the party’s past record. “With what face is the BJP asking Punjabis to bring a double-engine government? The people have already given them opportunities—from 1997 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2017. Punjab has seen their rule and has not forgotten the damage caused during those years,” he said.

Pannu asserted that the people of Punjab are fully aware of the BJP’s track record and would not be misled by political slogans or election campaigns.