Chandigarh, Aug. 28 -- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Singh Mann traded sharp political barbs at separate events at Baba Bakala Sahib in Amritsar on Friday, with both leaders highlighting their governments' welfare initiatives and attacking their political opponents.

Addressing a BJP Mahasammelan, Saini claimed that people in Punjab were "fed up" with the Aam Aadmi Party government and were looking for a change. He accused the AAP dispensation of pushing the state into corruption and alleged that it had surpassed the previous Congress government in this regard. Saini said Punjab needed a government focused on development, good governance, transparency and public welfare, asserting that the BJP would form the next government in the state under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

He contrasted the BJP-ruled Haryana with Punjab, citing more than two lakh government jobs provided in Haryana on merit without "parchi-kharchi". He also highlighted schemes including LPG cylinders at Rs 500 for eligible women, the Lado Lakshmi Yojana, procurement of farmers' entire produce at MSP, free dialysis and construction of more than 1.60 lakh houses.

Meanwhile, Mann marked Rakhri Punia at Baba Bakala Sahib by announcing the transfer of Rs 181.50 crore as three months' 'Sanman Rashi' to 5.30 lakh women under the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna. He said the scheme had so far benefited 70.92 lakh women and that the government was working to cover one crore women.

Mann also targeted the BJP, Akali Dal and Congress, accusing them of misleading people and pursuing political interests. He rejected the possibility of a BJP return to power in Punjab and alleged that the party had treated the state and its farmers unfairly.

Defending his government's record, Mann said more than 90 per cent of households were receiving free electricity, while 70,840 youngsters had secured government jobs. He said canal water had reached 1,587 villages.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.