The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has leveled serious allegations against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, claiming that illegal mining operations are continuing unabated in the Majri block of Mohali district. This accusation directly challenges the administration's official stance that no such activity is currently taking place.
Fresh Evidence Contradicts Official Claims
BJP leader Vineet Joshi, accompanied by party's Majri Mandal president Mohit Gautam and local villagers, conducted an inspection of mining sites in the Majri Block under Kharar tehsil on December 27, 2025. Joshi stated that the site visit revealed clear signs of recent excavation.
"Fresh excavation marks, visible JCB tyre impressions, movement tracks of tippers, and soft, freshly dug soil clearly prove that illegal mining has taken place here recently," Joshi asserted. He emphasized that these visual proofs stand in stark contrast to the claims made by the police and the mining department, which maintain that only old sites exist and no current illegal mining is occurring in the block.
BJP Targets AAP MLA for Alleged Inaction
In a sharp attack on the local AAP representative, Joshi criticized MLA Anmol Gagan Mann for her perceived silence on the issue. "Despite being very vocal on smaller issues, the MLA remained silent on illegal mining for nearly four years," he alleged.
Joshi further claimed that even after the BJP launched a sustained campaign against the mining mafia, the ruling MLA's response was limited to a social media post. "Ruling party MLAs are expected to act, and not to behave like the Opposition on social media," he remarked.
Allegations of Corruption and a Direct Challenge
The BJP leader made grave allegations of systemic corruption, stating that villagers believe the mining mafia is paying huge monthly amounts to district-level officials and political representatives. He threw down a direct challenge to MLA Anmol Gagan Mann.
"If Anmol Gagan Mann is truly honest and not receiving any 'monthly cut,' she should immediately shut down illegal mining in Majri block, where not even a single legal mining site exists today," Joshi demanded. He called for strict action against the mining mafia and accountability from the district administration.
The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle against illegal resource extraction in Punjab, with the opposition BJP seeking to put the AAP government on the defensive over governance and enforcement failures in the Mohali region.
