A Bharatiya Janata Party workers' meeting in Rupnagar, led by Punjab BJP President Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon, witnessed an overwhelming turnout and transformed into a massive public rally. Addressing party workers, Dhillon launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government, alleging that it had failed Punjab on every front.
He said the AAP government, which came to power promising "change", had pushed Punjab towards bankruptcy, lawlessness and administrative collapse instead of making it prosperous. The enthusiastic participation of BJP workers in Rupnagar, he added, reflected the growing public mood in favour of the BJP and indicated that the party would form the next government in Punjab.
Dhillon said Punjab was passing through one of its most difficult phases and that the people had paid a heavy price for AAP's "false promise of change". He alleged that the state's debt had risen from ₹2.82 lakh crore to nearly ₹4.5 lakh crore under the present government.
Targeting Arvind Kejriwal's promise to eradicate drugs within three months, Dhillon claimed that the government's "War Against Drugs" campaign had completely failed and that Punjab's youth continued to fall victim to drug abuse every day. Referring to the deteriorating law and order situation, he alleged that extortion, murders, sword attacks and robberies had become routine, with nine to ten major criminal incidents taking place daily, while the Chief Minister remained absent from the state.
In contrast, he said, BJP governments had demonstrated in Uttar Pradesh that organised crime and gangsterism could be effectively tackled. On farmers' issues, Dhillon accused the Punjab government of failing to honour its promises regarding Minimum Support Price (MSP).
He said the government had failed to procure moong despite assuring MSP, leaving farmers distressed in mandis. Citing Haryana as an example, he said MSP was being ensured on all crops there and stressed that Punjab too needed to move towards crop diversification.
Speaking on employees' issues, Dhillon said government employees had initially welcomed the AAP government but were now forced onto the streets. Employees of Deputy Commissioners' offices, Sewa Kendras, teachers and power department staff were protesting across the state.
He alleged that the Punjab government was unwilling even to release 42 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA), while BJP-ruled states were providing 60 per cent DA. On the issue of financial assistance for women, he alleged that the government had repeatedly delayed implementation of its ₹1,000 monthly promise by introducing eligibility conditions and registration requirements.
He contrasted this with BJP governments, claiming that welfare schemes for women had been implemented promptly in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Raising the issue of illegal mining in Rupnagar, Dhillon alleged that the district had now earned the reputation of being the "Capital of Illegal Mining".
He claimed that around 150 FIRs had already been registered in connection with illegal mining but the government had failed to curb the menace. Questioning the government's mining revenue, he said Arvind Kejriwal had promised before the elections that mining would generate ₹20,000 crore annually, but only about ₹600 crore had reportedly been realised.
"Where did the remaining ₹19,400 crore go?" he asked, alleging that "Delhi's defeated scamsters have even looted Punjab's sand." Highlighting the BJP's development agenda, Dhillon said the party stood for governance and development rather than electoral politics alone.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, India's GDP was growing rapidly, while highways, railways, airports and industrial infrastructure were expanding at an unprecedented pace. He claimed that 22 states governed by or allied with the BJP were progressing rapidly, whereas Punjab had fallen behind.
He further stated that the Central Government had provided ₹4.13 lakh crore for Punjab's development and reiterated the BJP's commitment to restoring Punjab as the country's leading state. Calling upon party workers to intensify organisational efforts, Dhillon urged them to reach every village, every street and every household to spread awareness about the Central Government's welfare schemes.
He asserted that only a BJP government could provide a lasting solution to Punjab's problems and claimed that people, disillusioned with AAP's "false change", were now prepared to bring the BJP to power in the state. Among those present on the occasion were Parminder Singh Brar, Subhash Sharma and Ajay Veer Singh Lalpura.