Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab leader and Senior Spokesperson Neel Garg on Tuesday criticized the BJP for its baseless allegations against the Punjab government’s taxation policies. Speaking at a press conference alongside AAP leader Govindar Mittal, Garg accused the BJP of perpetuating "tax terrorism" nationwide while hypocritically accusing the AAP government of similar practices.
Presenting comprehensive data, Garg showcased AAP’s unparalleled achievements in revenue collection and public welfare. “It is laughable that BJP leaders, who institutionalized tax terrorism in India, are accusing Punjab’s AAP government of spreading the same,” Garg said.
He highlighted the BJP's imposition of GST on essential items like milk, curd, and educational materials, as well as worship materials for temples and gurdwaras. "The BJP, which promised no taxes when it came to power, has instead burdened the common man with a complex GST structure that harasses small traders and shopkeepers," he added.
Garg also criticized BJP’s governance for fostering a climate of fear through excessive ED and Income Tax raids. “Under BJP’s rule, these raids create panic among traders and small businesses. In stark contrast, Punjab’s AAP government prioritizes transparency and accountability, driving growth without harassment,” he asserted.
Punjab’s Record Revenue Growth under AAP: Drawing a sharp contrast between AAP’s governance and that of BJP’s allies, Garg presented Punjab’s record-breaking revenue growth:
Excise Revenue: ₹28,020 crore in three years under AAP, surpassing the five-year collections of SAD-BJP (₹20,545 crore) and Congress (₹27,395 crore).
GST Collection: ₹64,253 crore under AAP in three years, more than triple Congress’s ₹21,286 crore in five years.
Stamp Duty and Registration Fees: ₹14,786 crore under AAP, outpacing Congress’s ₹12,469 crore and SAD-BJP’s ₹12,387 crore in their five-year terms.
Own Tax Revenue: ₹57,919 crore in three years under AAP - a 55% increase over Congress’s ₹37,327 crore in five years.
Highlighting AAP’s focus on infrastructure and development, Garg noted that the government’s annual capital expenditure stands at ₹6,603 crore nearly double Congress’s ₹3,871 crore and over twice SAD-BJP’s ₹2,928 crore average.
“This demonstrates AAP’s commitment to transforming Punjab’s financial and developmental landscape,” he said. Taking aim at SAD-BJP, Garg accused them of fostering "mafia raj" that siphoned public funds for personal gains.
"Under AAP, every rupee of tax collected is spent on public welfare not private pockets,” he said. He emphasized that AAP’s governance model prioritizes free electricity, quality healthcare, and better education.
"This is the power of honest and transparent governance," Garg asserted. "In just three years, AAP has tripled state revenue, proving that accountability delivers extraordinary results." Garg called out the BJP’s hypocrisy in criticizing AAP’s development model while ignoring its own failures.
"Those who left Punjab’s treasury empty through corruption now question how AAP is funding development. The answer is simple honest governance with zero corruption," he said. He also condemned BJP’s hollow narratives and urged its leaders to introspect.
“Punjab is witnessing unprecedented development under AAP, which was unimaginable during previous regimes. The BJP should reflect on its failures instead of misleading the public,” he concluded.