Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, has strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government in Punjab, accusing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his administration of failing to deliver on the promises made before coming to power. Bajwa has expressed concern over various issues plaguing the state, including unemployment, deteriorating law and order, financial mismanagement, and the government’s inability to fulfill key commitments that it made to the people of Punjab during its election campaign.
Bajwa’s sharp criticism comes amid growing discontent among various sections of society, including farmers, unemployed youth, government employees, and industrialists, who feel let down by the ruling party. Despite AAP’s overwhelming victory in the Punjab Assembly elections, Bajwa argues that the government has failed to live up to the expectations of the people, instead engaging in mere publicity and political rhetoric while ignoring the real challenges facing the state.
Failure to Generate Employment
One of the key areas where Bajwa has targeted the Bhagwant Mann-led government is its failure to address the rising unemployment crisis in Punjab. Before the elections, AAP had promised to provide one lakh government jobs annually and create a thriving ecosystem for private sector employment. However, Bajwa argues that there has been little to no progress in this regard. He pointed out that thousands of educated youth are still struggling to find stable jobs, and many are being forced to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities.
He also criticized the government for not addressing the plight of contractual employees, who were promised regularization of their services but continue to work under insecure conditions. Many government job aspirants who cleared exams and were waiting for recruitment have also been left in the lurch, as the government has failed to expedite hiring processes.
Worsening Law and Order Situation
Bajwa has raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, stating that the state has witnessed a rise in gang-related crimes, drug trafficking, and targeted killings under the current government. He accused the AAP government of being incapable of tackling organized crime and ensuring the safety of its citizens. The recent incidents of violence and daylight murders, he said, have created an atmosphere of fear among the people.
Highlighting the growing influence of criminal gangs, Bajwa claimed that Punjab Police has been unable to crack down on these elements effectively due to political interference and lack of strategic planning. He also pointed to the resurgence of drug-related activities, arguing that despite tall claims by the AAP government, drug abuse continues to be a major problem, ruining the lives of many Punjabi youths.
Financial Mismanagement and Rising Debt
Another major criticism leveled by Bajwa against the Mann government is its poor handling of Punjab’s economy. He accused AAP of pushing the state further into financial distress due to its extravagant spending on advertisements and populist schemes without having a concrete plan to generate revenue.
Punjab is already one of the most debt-ridden states in the country, and Bajwa claims that the Mann government has done little to address this crisis. Instead of focusing on economic growth and industrial development, the AAP government has allegedly resorted to taking more loans, further burdening the state’s financial resources. The Congress leader also criticized the government’s inability to attract significant private investment in the state, which is crucial for job creation and economic development.
Neglect of Farmers’ Issues
Bajwa also accused the AAP government of betraying Punjab’s farmers, who were promised significant support before the elections. He pointed out that the government has failed to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees on all crops, something that was a key demand of the farmers’ unions. Additionally, issues such as compensation for crop damage, delays in procurement payments, and water shortages have not been addressed effectively.
The Congress leader also criticized the government’s handling of stubble-burning, which continues to be a major environmental and agricultural challenge in Punjab. Instead of providing viable alternatives and financial support to farmers, the government has resorted to penalizing them, which has created further discontent among the farming community.
Unfulfilled Promises of Free Electricity and Infrastructure Development
Bajwa further lashed out at the Mann-led government for failing to deliver on its promise of 300 units of free electricity to every household without hidden conditions. He argued that while the government claims to have implemented the scheme, many people are still receiving high electricity bills due to additional charges. The Congress leader questioned how the government planned to sustain such subsidies without addressing the underlying financial crisis in the state.
Moreover, Bajwa raised concerns about the lack of significant infrastructure development under AAP’s rule. He stated that road conditions in many parts of Punjab remain poor, and there has been little progress in the development of industrial zones, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. He accused the government of failing to initiate major projects that could bring long-term benefits to the state’s economy and society.
AAP Government’s Focus on Publicity Instead of Governance
One of Bajwa’s strongest criticisms of the Mann government is its alleged obsession with self-promotion and publicity rather than effective governance. He accused AAP of spending crores of rupees on advertising its so-called achievements while ignoring the ground realities of Punjab. He claimed that instead of addressing pressing issues, the government is more focused on image-building exercises and diverting public attention from its failures.
According to Bajwa, the government frequently makes big announcements, but there is little follow-through in terms of policy implementation. He pointed to multiple instances where the AAP government made grand promises but failed to deliver tangible results. The Congress leader warned that if the government continues on this path, it will lose the trust of the people, who had high expectations from AAP after its landslide victory in the Punjab Assembly elections.
Call for Stronger Opposition and Political Unity
Bajwa also emphasized the need for a strong opposition to hold the government accountable for its failures. He urged political leaders across party lines to come together to fight for Punjab’s interests and ensure that the government does not get away with making empty promises. He reiterated that the people of Punjab deserve better governance and that his party would continue to raise these critical issues both inside and outside the Punjab Assembly.
The Congress leader also called upon civil society, farmers’ unions, youth organizations, and other stakeholders to question the government and demand transparency in its functioning. He argued that Punjab’s future depends on policies that genuinely address economic, social, and developmental challenges rather than mere political rhetoric.
Partap Bajwa’s criticism of the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government highlights a growing sense of dissatisfaction among various sections of society regarding the state’s governance. His concerns regarding unemployment, law and order, financial mismanagement, farmers’ distress, and unfulfilled promises resonate with many who had hoped for significant change under AAP’s rule. While the AAP government continues to defend its policies and claims to be working for the welfare of the people, Bajwa’s statements reflect the opposition’s stance that the ruling party has failed to live up to its commitments.
As Punjab faces significant challenges in multiple sectors, the debate over the government’s performance is likely to intensify in the coming months. Whether the AAP administration can address these concerns effectively or continues to face criticism for its governance will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the state.