Chandigarh, September 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday accused the BJP-led Central Government of attempting to weaken the Bhagwant Singh Mann government by withholding Punjab’s funds and using central investigative agencies to target opposition-ruled governments.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said the BJP and its supporters had tried to create apprehension before the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections by questioning AAP’s administrative experience and predicting that its government would not be able to function effectively. He said voters rejected that narrative and gave Bhagwant Mann a clear mandate.
Pannu alleged that the Centre subsequently withheld Punjab’s funds, including Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues running into thousands of crores. He also claimed that changes to the framework and name of MGNREGA had adversely affected Punjab.
Referring to the floods in Punjab, Pannu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the state and been briefed about the extensive damage, but Punjab received only ₹1,600 crore, which he termed “token assistance”. He alleged that additional assistance promised by the Centre had not materialised.
Despite what he described as financial constraints imposed by the Centre, Pannu said the Mann government continued its development and welfare programmes, including work in education and healthcare. He highlighted schools, Mohalla Clinics, hospitals and roads, besides the Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna.
Pannu claimed Punjab had emerged as a leading state in education, saying it had overtaken Kerala. He also highlighted the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), which he said was working to save lives on the state’s roads, and the ongoing “Yudh Nashean Virudh” anti-drug campaign involving public participation.
The AAP leader accused the BJP of repeatedly using old videos and selective narratives to portray Punjab negatively. He alleged that agencies including the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were deployed around elections to target opposition governments and undermine their performance.
Pannu also alleged that welfare initiatives such as the Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna had faced attempts to create controversy, but said the Mann government implemented them despite opposition.
On the ED’s recent communications with the Punjab Police, Pannu alleged that letters and screenshots were being selectively highlighted in the media while the police’s request for complete evidence was being overlooked. He said the ED should provide clear documents and details if it wanted an FIR to be registered.
“If the material being shown is merely unclear screenshots of chats, how can an FIR be registered on that basis?” he asked, urging the agency to provide the complete evidence and relevant details.
Referring to AAP minister Sanjeev Arora, Pannu alleged that ministers were being targeted one after another and accused the ED of harassment.
Pannu said repeated leaks and selective reports were intended to malign Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He maintained that the people of Punjab had witnessed the government’s work despite the alleged obstacles and claimed they would give Mann another mandate in the 2027 Assembly elections.
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