BJP slams Punjab government for not implementing central government schemes

Chandigarh,UPDATED: Aug 22, 2025 23:54 IST

The political tussle between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab escalated on Friday, with state BJP leaders taking to the streets against the ruling government for halting welfare schemes. Several BJP leaders were detained during the protests.

The BJP accused the Bhagwant Mann government of halting its welfare camps meant to inform and enrol people in central government schemes, while Punjab Police claimed complaints had surfaced of personal data and money being illegally collected in the name of such camps.

BJP state president Sunil Jakhar, along with several party workers, was detained during a protest in Abohar’s Raipur area.

The saffron party said AAP refrained from implementing 39 welfare camps that were aimed at spreading awareness and facilitating enrolment into central schemes.

"The BJP is reaching out to the people of Punjab so that the poor, farmers, and every section of society can benefit from central government welfare schemes. But the AAP government in Punjab is upset, and police action is being taken against our workers and leaders,” Jakhar said before being detained.

He also accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing to deliver on pre-poll promises, including the monthly Rs 1,000 payment promised to women.

The BJP had earlier raised the issue with the Punjab governor, with state working president Ashwani Sharma meeting him on Thursday. On Friday, protests were organised across Punjab, with Jakhar leading the demonstration in Abohar.

AAP RESPONDS

Meanwhile, AAP leaders have argued that the BJP cannot hold such camps independently in the state and must coordinate through the government. AAP MLA Kuldeep Dhaliwal had earlier criticised the BJP for what he described as misleading camps.

PUNJAB POLICE WARN AGAINST DATA MISUSE

Punjab Police, however, issued a warning, stating they had received multiple complaints in the past 24 hours about people posing as representatives of a political party and collecting sensitive data and money from citizens.

"Some people claiming to be from a political party are not only collecting personal data but also taking commissions from individuals to get their work done. We have received complaints that citizens who shared bank account details have seen their accounts emptied," police said.

A police spokesperson added that strict action will be taken against those running such illegal camps and urged the public not to share personal details or pay money to unauthorised persons. Citizens were advised to use government-run Sewa Kendras for official work.

"The public is urged to immediately inform police if any such illegal camps are set up in their area," the statement added.

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