Latest news with #anti-Punjab
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Shiromani Akali Dal protests Punjab govt land acquisition and alleged scam in Ludhiana.
Ludhiana: Shiromani Akali Dal's Ludhiana West assembly byelection candidate, advocate Parupkar Singh Ghumman, has accused Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt of orchestrating a massive land scam that could devastate Punjab's farmers and economy. Ghumman said the state govt's plan to acquire 24,311 acres of fertile farmland across 32 villages to develop an urban estate was a betrayal of the people. He alleged that the Bhagwant Mann administration was using the pretext of development to misappropriate an estimated ₹125 lakh crore and funnel Punjab's resources to Delhi. "This is not just about farmers — it's an attack on Punjab's economy, identity and the livelihood of common citizens," Ghumman told reporters on Tuesday. He announced that his party will hold a large-scale protest outside the Ferozepur Road office of Glada (Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority) on Wednesday, where it will also submit a memorandum of demands to the authorities concerned. Ghumman criticised the govt's messaging, claiming it was misleading the public by portraying the land acquisition as beneficial to farmers. He pointed to Punjab's economic decline, noting that the state, which once ranked second in the country in 2017, had now fallen to 26th position. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo He also accused the Mann govt of destabilising Punjab's agrarian foundations deliberately. "Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Any move against farmers is a move against the state," he said. Ghumman alleged that more than 15,000 new voter entries had been added post-publication of the final electoral roll, on the ruling party's instructions purportedly. He has warned the govt that if these entries are allowed in the election, the SAD will take the matter to court. "The govt is using every tactic to ruin Punjab," Ghumman alleged. "But we will not tolerate it. Our protest will expose and dismantle the anti-Punjab agenda. " box 'Hoarding row highlights campaign bias' Ghumman further alleged that municipal officials were targeting his campaign hoardings in a "pick and choose" manner, while ignoring violations by rival parties. "AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora's hoardings are visible even outside the constituency, yet no action is taken. Where is this funding coming from?" he asked, citing concerns over election expenditure limits. box '150+ complaints, but no action' The SAD leader claimed his party had submitted more than 150 complaints to the Election Commission regarding violations of the model code of conduct for the Ludhiana West bypoll, but the authority had taken no action. He claimed to have also raised objections against a joint press conference held by the deputy commissioner and AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora. MSID:: 121438649 413 |
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
CM Mann: Move to deploy CISF at Nangal dam draconian, irrational and arbitrary
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Thursday said the BJP-led government at the Centre suffered from 'ant-Punjab syndrome' even as he condemned its move to deploy a contingent of 296 CISF personnel to secure the Nangal dam. Mann asked what the need was to deploy central forces when the Punjab Police was already providing security to the dam. 'The move is aimed at stealing the water of the state by deploying the central forces. It means we get our water looted and also pay for it. We will not allow this,' Mann said. He said that he will raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Niti Aayog meeting scheduled for Saturday. The Centre Wednesday sanctioned a contingent of 296 armed CISF personnel for providing security cover to the Nangal Dam, the move coming amid the standoff between Punjab and Haryana over sharing of water from the dam. In a communication to BBMB, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said quoted a security deposit of Rs 2,90,100 per head and asked the BBMB to transfer Rs 8,58,69,600 (for 296 personnel) to CISF headquarters. 'They say either the BBMB or Punjab will pay this money. What was the need for this when the Punjab Police was already providing security to the dam for free? Why should we give money?' Mann asked. 'I will strongly oppose this move. Centre should understand one thing: we neither have any drop of surplus water for other states nor any single penny to pay the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the unwarranted CISF. We will neither allow money to be given through the BBMB nor from the state exchequer of the Punjab government,' he said while addressing the media in Sangrur. Mann also asked BJP leaders, including their state unit chief Sunil Jakhar, if the Centre's latest move came with their approval. 'If they do not respond, then it will be taken as they were part of this decision,' he said. Lashing out at the BJP-led Centre for deploying CISF, Mann said it must withdraw this decision. 'The dam falls in Punjab's jurisdiction. If Punjab can protect the international border, why can't it protect the dam,' the chief minister asked. He accused the BJP of taking revenge on Punjab as it couldn't make electoral gains in the border state in previous elections. 'Democracy will not work with 'badlakhori' (vengeance),' he said, and added, 'The Modi government is suffering from anti-Punjab syndrome due to which they are hell bent on ruining the state'. The Chief Minister said that the BJP led government has no respect for the federal structure or the constitution adding that every constitutional body has been diluted. He said that credit limit has been decreased, RDF funds have been stalled and now 'this draconian, irrational and arbitrary move will put extra burden on the state exchequer'. Lashing out at the Centre for withholding Punjab's funds, Mann blamed it for displaying bias and discrimination against non-BJP state governments. Further questioning the move, Mann said, 'When any election takes place somewhere (in the country), then why is Punjab Police deployed there? Then they should give us money for that.' He said he would ask PM Narendra Modi if he does not consider Punjab Police capable (of providing security to the dam). The Chief Minister said that states like Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab have been compelled to knock the doors of the Supreme Court to obtain their rightful funds. Describing BBMB as a white elephant, he reiterated that it is totally useless and unacceptable in the present form adding that Punjab will never accept it now. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that BBMB had violated its own constitution by calling meetings in haste under the pressure of the BJP.
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Ravneet Bittu slams CM Bhagwant Mann over appointments of Delhi AAP leaders to key posts
New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing, Ravneet Singh Bittu, has launched a scathing attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding the immediate revocation of two high-profile appointments of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders from Delhi to key positions in Punjab's administrative machinery. In a strongly worded video statement issued from the national capital, Bittu accused CM Mann of reducing himself to a puppet of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and undermining Punjab's autonomy. Bittu said there was no ground for appointing Reena Gupta as Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Deepak Chauhan as Chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board (PLIDB). Both appointees are non-Punjabi leaders with deep ties to AAP's Delhi leadership. Bittu described the appointments as a betrayal of Punjab's self-respect, calling both appointees 'anti-Punjab entities' with no stakes in the state's welfare. 'Reena Gupta has a record of targeting Punjab's farmers and industries. She has openly blamed Punjab for pollution in Delhi, especially due to stubble burning,' Bittu said. 'Now she will head a body that decides the fate of the same farmers and industries she vilified.' He further criticized Gupta's lack of understanding of Punjab's unique environmental challenges, including the Budha Nullah pollution crisis and the industrial needs of Ludhiana. 'Her appointment is not just misplaced but dangerous,' he claimed. Regarding Deepak Chauhan, Mr Bittu said, 'He is being rewarded not for his competence, but for being a loyal foot soldier of Arvind Kejriwal. His only qualification is having served as a personal assistant to another personal assistant. How can such a person determine Punjab's industrial future?' Escalating his attack, Bittu accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of surrendering the state's authority to AAP's central leadership. 'Mann has made a mockery of the democratic system. He is nothing more than the number plate on Kejriwal's vehicle,' said Bittu. He went on to allege that AAP's top Delhi leaders -- Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendar Jain -- are effectively running Punjab from behind the scenes. 'These three prisoners on parole are calling the shots in Punjab while Bhagwant Mann simply follows orders,' Bittu alleged. Bittu criticised the double standards in CM Mann's approach to Punjab's interests. 'On one hand, he's claiming to protect Punjab's water from going to Haryana, and on the other hand, he's handing over Punjab's key institutions to outsiders. This hypocrisy must end,' he said. 'These appointments are a slap in the face of every proud Punjabi. We will not allow outsiders to rule us through remote control. This fight is about Punjab's self-respect, and we are ready to take it to the streets,' Bittu declared. (ANI)
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann calls HC response on water dispute a huge win, says defended share despite might of Centre, Haryana & BBMB
Ludhiana: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has called the seeking of reply by the Punjab and Haryana high court from all stakeholders in the ongoing issue of release of water by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to Haryana as a moral victory for the state."It is a huge win. This because we were able to defend our share of water despite all the might applied by the Centre, Haryana, and BBMB," said Mann while addressing a gathering here on CM said that the state govt fought the battle both politically and legally, asserting that the Centre, Haryana, and BBMB forgot one thing: if the state is capable of protecting the borders of the country, it can save the waters of Punjab said that Haryana, which has already exhausted its share of water for the current year, will be eligible for its share by May 21. The CM categorically said that Punjab does not have even a single drop of water to share with other states. As most of the river resources have dried up, Punjab needs more water to cater to its irrigation needs, Mann said, while accusing Haryana of attempting to steal its water.'Rejected leaders': CM takes a dig at BittuSlamming Union Minister for state Ravneet Singh Bittu, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said that though he hails from Ludhiana, he has done nothing substantial for the development of the city. He said that Bittu wakes up in the morning and starts criticising him from that very moment just to make his party bosses happy. "These rejected leaders who live in huge palaces remain inaccessible to people, the reason they were ousted by the masses," Mann CM said that traditional political parties were envious of him because they were unable to digest that the son of a common man was governing the state effectively. He said that the people of the state have lost their faith in the traditional political parties because of their anti-people and anti-Punjab stance. Mann announced the opening of UPSC training centres for aspirants where they could get essential 'drinking, poll loss' reparteeReacting to the comments of CM Bhagwant Mann, Union minister Ravneet Bittu shared a photograph on his social media page where CM Mann is sitting between AAP MLA Ashok Prashar Pappi and Madan Lal Bagga. He commented, "Do you remember, or should I remind you? You must have forgotten, drinking alcohol, which party you lost the election to, and from which constituency. Look to your left and right, which parties the MLAs came from."
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Union Minister Ravneet Bittu hails from Ludhiana but did nothing for development: Punjab CM
Ludhiana: Slamming Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said this 'rejected' leader spits 'venom' against him (Chief Minister) just to appease his political bosses. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that though the Union Minister hails from Ludhiana but he has done nothing substantial for the development of the city. 'Bittu wakes up in the morning and starts criticising me from that very moment just to make his party bosses happy,' he said. Mann said that these rejected leaders who had lived in huge palaces remain inaccessible to the people, due to which he was ousted by the masses. The Chief Minister said that traditional 'political parties are envious of him because they are not able to digest that the son of a common man is governing the state effectively.' He said that the people of the state have lost their faith in the traditional political parties due to their anti-people and anti-Punjab stance. CM Mann said that the wise and brave people of the state had ousted these parties during the 2022 Assembly polls and gave a thumping majority to the AAP. The Chief Minister said that the state has been witnessing spectacular development as the people of the state have elected an honest government, which is delivering the desired results to the people. He said that earlier, the choice of lesser evil was there, and the people had to elect corrupt and opportunist leaders, which were their only option. CM Mann said that the state has heralded a new era of the smooth and hassle-free delivery of citizen-centric services for the common man. He said the government has created history by launching several pro-people and development-oriented policies to put the state further on the path of a high trajectory of economic growth.
