Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Sampla launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, stating its nearly four-year tenure is marked by "zero achievements and countless excuses." Sampla's remarks came as a sharp rebuttal to Punjab's Finance Minister and AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema's comments on the BJP's political alliances in the state.
Baseless Allegations and Solo BJP Stance
Addressing a press conference in Punjab on Monday, former Union Minister Vijay Sampla termed Cheema's remarks on a potential BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alliance as "completely baseless." He was accompanied by BJP district president Sushil Sharma, former MLA Jagbir Brar, and district general secretary Amarjit Singh Goldy.
Sampla asserted that the BJP is fully prepared to contest all 117 Assembly seats in Punjab on its own strength. "From the 2022 Assembly elections to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP has contested elections solo in Punjab," said Sampla, who is also a former chairman of the National SC Commission. He added that the party would contest the upcoming Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, as well as the 2027 state elections, independently.
He emphasized that decisions regarding alliances are the sole prerogative of the BJP's central leadership, dismissing any role for Harpal Cheema in the matter.
AAP's "Lack of Achievement" Exposed
Sampla criticized Finance Minister Cheema for not presenting his government's work over the past three-and-a-half years. Instead, he accused Cheema of delving into 25-year-old political history, which he said "exposes the AAP government's lack of achievement."
"Before pointing a finger at previous governments over corruption, Cheema should answer questions on his own government's conduct during its tenure," Sampla challenged. He alleged that Cheema, having no concrete achievements to showcase, was levelling baseless allegations against the BJP to malign its image.
String of Allegations and Unanswered Questions
The BJP leader posed a series of pointed questions targeting the AAP administration. He asked how ministers removed by the Chief Minister on corruption charges managed to get bail and how an MLA escaped "right under the government's nose."
Sampla also questioned the state government's "inaction" on charges levelled by AAP's Amritsar MLA, Kunwar Vijay Pratap, concerning the sacrilege and Behbal Kalan/Bargari cases.
Recalling an incident involving late Ludhiana West MLA Gurpreet Gogi, Sampla noted that Gogi had broken a foundation stone laid in the Chief Minister's presence. "This sent a clear message that when you can't do anything, what is the point of laying foundation stones," he remarked.
U-Turns on Promises and Alleged Mafia Links
Sampla accused the AAP of a major policy reversal, alleging the party that once spoke against sand and land mafias is now "working hand-in-glove with Delhi's land mafia" to purchase Punjab farmers' land at cheap rates. He stated the government was forced to roll back this decision only after massive farmer protests.
Similarly, he claimed the AAP, which once called the Badal family's buses illegal, is now preparing to run buses under the kilometre scheme "in collaboration with the transport mafia." He alleged that employee unions opposing this move are being silenced through false cases and lathi-charges.
A "Matter of Deep Disgrace"
In a final stinging criticism, Sampla highlighted the case of AAP's Khadoor Sahib MLA, Manjinder Singh Lalpura, who was sentenced to four years in prison for misconduct with a woman. "It's shameful that despite his conviction, he has not been suspended from the Assembly. This is a matter of deep disgrace for the AAP government," Sampla concluded.
The war of words underscores the escalating political tension in Punjab as parties gear up for future electoral battles, with the BJP firmly positioning itself as a solo challenger to the incumbent AAP government.
