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Punjab worse than West Bengal under AAP rule, says Haryana CM Saini
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini accused the Punjab government led by AAP of failing to control drugs, illegal mining, and law-and-order, claiming Punjab is 'worse than West Bengal'. He said Punjabis are turning toward BJP for change and promising to extend Haryana’s welfare schemes to Punjab if BJP forms government. He contrasted Haryana’s welfare initiatives with Punjab’s promises and criticized Congress.
Why It Matters
The remarks indicate cross-state political rivalry ahead of Punjab’s Assembly elections and highlight policy contrasts between BJP-led Haryana and Punjab's AAP government.
Timeline
1 Event
Haryana CM Saini criticizes Punjab under AAP at press conference
May 8, 2026
At a press conference, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini argued that Punjab has descended into a condition 'worse than West Bengal' under the AAP government led by Bhagwant Mann, accusing it of failing to curb drugs, illegal mining, and the collapsing law-and-order situation. He claimed Punjab’s people are disillusioned with the AAP and are looking to the BJP’s governance model for 'hope and trust' for political change. He compared Punjab’s situation with Mamata Banerjee’s tenure in West Bengal, saying atrocities against common people were rampant and FIRs were not registered. He asserted that the Punjab government had merely pretended to control drug trafficking and mining, and that the AAP regime had gone further than Congress in corruption. He noted poor healthcare and daily harassment, stating that the people of Punjab want change and that the BJP would form the government in the coming Assembly elections. He said that if the BJP forms government in Punjab, the same welfare schemes being implemented in Haryana would be introduced there. He also criticized the Congress, saying it lacks policy and intent, and highlighted Haryana’s larger and more active women-centric schemes as a contrast.