Ludhiana, June 23 -- BJP national president Nitin Nabin met agriculture economist Sardara Singh Johl in Ludhiana on Monday to seek inputs on Punjab's ongoing farming issues. Speaking to reporters, Nabin said the meeting was part of the BJP's sampark abhiyan (outreach campaign) to engage with prominent regional personalities. "Dr Johl has a profound understanding of Punjab's agrarian landscape and farmer challenges. His suggestions will be invaluable not just for local farming reforms, but for shaping national agricultural policy," he said. Following the meeting, Johl said the dialogue centered largely on Punjab's deteriorating fiscal health. He issued a sharp warning against political parties relying on subsidies, particularly free electricity and ration distributions. "The (Aam Aadmi Party) government is breeding dependency through freebies instead of fostering self-reliance," Johl said, noting that Punjab's mounting debt is crippling its economic foundation. "Taxpayer funds must be directed toward infrastructure and development, not spent on vote-bank politics. Any party invested in Punjab's future needs an immediate course correction," the agri-economist said. He urged policymakers to prioritise industrial investment, business growth, and job creation over the expansion of welfare handouts. Hours prior to the meeting with the BJP chief, Johl took to social media to criticise the AAP government's fiscal choices. In a sarcastic Punjabi post directly addressing chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Johl suggested that if the current trajectory continues, the state might as well distribute free alcohol next. "Honourable chief minister Bhagwant Mann has been a long-time friend who used to call me uncle. While he has distanced himself since taking office, I believe some affection remains. However, by giving out free water, electricity, flour, and pulses, he is eroding the traditional self-respect and pride of Punjabis. If more freebies are on the way, make liquor free, too. Rule this way as long as you like, but you will end up as the caretaker of a barren garden," Johl posted on Facebook.HTC...