Chandigarh, February 21 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday criticized the AAP government in Punjab over the issue of drug menace, alleging that it was "wasting" money on newspaper advertisements for its anti-drug campaign but taking no concrete action.
Addressing the Bhagwant Mann government on gang activities in the state, Saini said that "no one feels safe in Punjab now".
On the issue of law and order, Saini said that no one felt safe in the state. "When the BJP forms the government in Punjab in 2027, the gangster culture will be eradicated," he said.
"I have seen that in Punjab, only money was being spent on newspaper advertisements with claims that we will end drugs and run campaigns against drugs," Saini said, dismissing claims by the AAP government that it is solving the drug problem.
"The increasing number of drugs in Punjab is dangerous for our youth," he said.
Praising the BJP-led central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saini said that the country has achieved new heights and is growing at a rapid pace. He spoke about road connectivity, the rail network, and other infrastructure developments carried out in the last 11 years.
Saini also accused the AAP government of trying to prevent his programs in Punjab.
"I have programs in different places in Punjab. But the government here, in order to hide its failures, is trying to stop them (my programs)," he claimed.
The Haryana CM has frequently visited Punjab and highlighted his government's work to the people of the neighboring state. The Punjab assembly elections are due in early 2027.
Saini further said that the BJP government in Haryana has provided 2 lakh government jobs in the last 10 years without "corruption and favoritism".
Saini said that in the one year of his government in Haryana, 37,000 jobs have been given to youths in a transparent manner.
Haryana has carved out its identity in the sports field, with many of its sportspersons winning medals in the Olympics, Asian Games, and other international sports events, as he asserted that the state government has been promoting sports in a big way.
On the drug menace in Punjab, Saini alleged that narcotics supply has increased in the state and no work has been done to stop it.
Asking the youth to stay away from drugs, he added that nobody has the right to ruin their future.
Saini, however, said that his government in Haryana was taking strict action against hardcore criminals involved in drugs, claiming that their properties were being demolished.
The Haryana CM said that only the BJP can take Punjab on the path of prosperity and progress.
Targeting the Congress and the AAP in Punjab, Saini said that these parties were allegedly involved in "promoting corruption and spreading drugs." These parties do not worry about the future of the youth, he claimed.