On the issue of the central government appointing a Chief Secretary in Chandigarh instead of an Advisor, a delegation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The AAP leaders appealed to the Governor to intervene in the matter, stating that the central government is treating Punjab unfairly. They asserted that this issue highlights the discriminatory attitude of the Centre towards Punjab.
The AAP delegation included the party's state president Aman Arora, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Hardeep Singh Mundian, and Barinder Goyal, along with AAP leaders Dr. Sunny Ahluwalia, Deepak Bali, Neel Garg, Govinder Mittal, Parminder Goldy, and Ferry Sofat.
Addressing the media after meeting the Governor, Aman Arora said that the appointment of a Chief Secretary instead of an Advisor exposes the Centre's anti-Punjab mindset. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party strongly opposes this decision, as it is an attempt to weaken Punjab's rightful claim over Chandigarh. He asserted that the party will not accept this decision under any circumstances.
Arora said that historically, politically, and socially, Chandigarh rightfully belongs to Punjab. He pointed out that Chandigarh was built by displacing 27 villages of Punjab. At the time of the state’s partition, it was said that the Union Territory status of Chandigarh was temporary. Even the Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord stated that Chandigarh would be handed over to Punjab within five years, but this has not happened yet.
The AAP leader questioned the BJP-led central government’s discriminatory treatment of Punjab, asking why Punjab is being subjected to such unfairness. He also criticized both the BJP and Congress, stating that both parties have been in power at the Centre but did nothing to address the matter. Instead, they have tried to snatch Punjab's rightful claims.
Arora further stated that the Governor assured the delegation that he would raise their concerns and the voice of three crore Punjabis with the central government and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Centre’s Policies Aim to Dismantle Punjab’s Mandi System, AAP Will Not Let Farmers Be Exploited by Capitalist Friendly BJP: Harpal Cheema
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, in response to a media query, strongly criticized the central government for its continuous anti-farmer policies. He said that the Centre is bringing laws aimed at dismantling the agricultural system, particularly the mandi system, which forms the backbone of Punjab’s farming economy.
Cheema said that Punjab's farmers had previously fought a historic battle to repeal the three black farm laws introduced by the BJP. He accused the Centre of trying to destroy the mandis to pave the way for private corporate-controlled markets, which would exploit farmers and lead to their economic ruin. "When the mandi system is dismantled, large corporates, through private market, will loot our farmers," he said.
Cheema praised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for taking thoughtful, well-researched steps to safeguard the interests of Punjab’s farmers after consulting with agricultural leaders and rejecting such policies. He reaffirmed the Aam Aadmi Party's commitment to opposing all policies of the BJP-led central government that harm farmers.