AAP Minister Lalchand Kataruchakk addressed a press conference in Ludhiana, responding to allegations from opponents accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of being controlled from Delhi. He said that all national parties have a centralized structure. Kataruchakk highlighted the hypocrisy of Congress and BJP leaders, stating that Punjab Congress President Raja Warring doesn’t even have a say in deciding the party’s star campaigners for the Ludhiana West by-election and BJP Punjab leadership often prioritise appeasing their "Modi Darbar" over Punjab's rights and pride.
Lalchand Kataruchak launched a scathing attack on the BJP’s Punjab model, saying it is being dictated by outsiders, questioning the relevance of appointing Gujarat’s Vijay Rupani to oversee Punjab BJP affairs. “What connection does Vijay Rupani have with Punjab’s culture, history, or people?” Kataruchak asked, adding that the BJP’s Punjab strategy reflects a blatant disregard for the state’s identity and aspirations.
Kataruchak compared BJP's treatment of Punjab to the oppressive rule of the Mughals. He alleged that BJP’s Delhi-based leadership views Punjab merely as a resource to exploit, without any genuine interest in its development or the welfare of its people, but still BJP Punjab leaders stand with their party instead of Punjab.
Turning his attention to Congress, Kataruchak mocked the party’s ties to foreign influences, stating, “A party run from Italy has no moral standing to question others.” He said that during Congress rule in Punjab, CM Office was controlled by a Pakistani.
“National parties by nature are centralized, but unlike Congress, AAP empowers its state leaders to represent the people and make decisions for their states. Congress leaders, on the other hand, lack autonomy and are dictated by their high command,” he said. AAP Minister Lalchand Kataruchakk was accompanied by AAP spokesperson Neel Garg and other AAP leaders for this press conference.
Kataruchakk criticized Congress and BJP leaders for prioritizing their personal agendas over the interests of Punjab. He particularly called out Congress Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu for siding against Punjab on water disputes and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Kataruchakk said that not Punjab Congress leader have anything to say about that, they are answerable to the people. “Instead of standing up for Punjab, these leaders have consistently failed to protect the state’s rights,” he remarked.
The minister advised leaders of Congress and BJP to focus on issue-based politics and address public concerns rather than indulging in irrelevant political theatrics. “Punjab’s citizens expect their leaders to address real issues like water management, education, and employment.
Congress and BJP should stop politicizing irrelevant matters and work towards fulfilling the expectations of the people,” Kataruchakk stated.He reaffirmed AAP’s commitment to transparent governance and resolving the challenges faced by the people of Punjab.
“Our focus remains on serving the public and delivering on the promises we made, unlike the opposition parties who are busy playing blame games,” he concluded.