Chandigarh, Sept. 21 -- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday accused the AAP government in Punjab of failing to fulfil its electoral promises and alleged that the drug menace had worsened during its tenure.
Addressing an event at Sito in Fazilka district as part of the BJP's 13-day 'Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra', Saini said the AAP had promised to eradicate drugs, provide employment to youth and ensure procurement of farmers' produce, but had failed to deliver on these commitments.
He alleged that the drug problem and Punjab's debt had increased fourfold under the AAP government and accused it of betraying women, farmers and the poor.
Saini also targeted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his earlier remark that the AAP had gained experience since coming to power. "Mann Sahib, you have gained experience in increasing the drug problem, trapping youth in drugs and increasing corruption in the state," he said.
He recalled that Mann, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and senior party leader Manish Sisodia had promised to eradicate drugs within three to six months of forming the government, provide three lakh jobs and procure farmers' produce at minimum support price.
Saini challenged the three leaders to appear on a public platform and tell Punjab's youth how many jobs had been provided and what steps had been taken to curb drugs.
Questioning Mann's claim that 71,000 people involved in the drug trade had been arrested, Saini said Punjab's prisons had a capacity of around 35,000 inmates and accused the chief minister of misleading people.
He said Punjab and Haryana were like brothers but claimed Haryana had moved ahead in development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "double-engine" government.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.