The Fact News Service
Ludhiana, June 13
Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema sharply criticized BJP leader and Union Minister Hardeep Puri, stating that while Puri boasted about the BJP government’s achievements over the past 11 years, he conveniently ignored how his government has consistently undermined the Constitution and dismantled the country’s federal structure.
Harpal Cheema said that the Constitution defines India as a union of states, with clearly outlined powers for both the states and the center, and provisions for joint lawmaking in certain cases. However, over the past 11 years, the Modi government has centralized authority, systematically obstructing the functioning of states. He asserted that anyone who fails to respect the Constitution cannot genuinely contribute to the nation’s development.
Cheema remarked that if the Modi government had delivered on its promises, there would have been no need to showcase Delhi’s government schools to Melania Trump, the wife of U.S. President Donald Trump. He pointed out that BJP leaders lacked schools of their own to present and were compelled to highlight the government schools built by the AAP in Delhi.
He highlighted that the AAP government’s schools were so exemplary that children from ordinary families began gaining admission to IITs and medical colleges. In contrast, the BJP government closed nearly one lakh government schools. In 2014, when the BJP came to power, there were 11 lakh government schools in the country; today, only 10 lakh remain. Cheema said that this is BJP’s version of development.
Commenting on Hardeep Puri’s remarks about Mohalla Clinics, Cheema stated that the Ayushman scheme is riddled with conditions, preventing many from benefiting, whereas millions of poor families have received treatment at Mohalla Clinics without any restrictions. Addressing Puri’s comments on COVID, Cheema clarified that Mohalla Clinics are designed for primary healthcare, not for managing pandemics. He added that Mr. Puri should understand that primary healthcare centers are meant to treat common ailments, not epidemics.
Speaking on the promise of providing ₹1000 to women every month, Cheema pointed out that the BJP had pledged ₹2500 and three free gas cylinders in Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan. He questioned what concrete steps, if any, had been taken to fulfill these promises.
Cheema further accused the BJP government of plunging India into a debt spiral. He noted that when the BJP assumed power in 2014, the nation’s debt stood at approximately ₹55 lakh crore, which has since ballooned to ₹215 lakh crore. In contrast, he highlighted that when the Aam Aadmi Party first formed the government in Delhi, it inherited a budget deficit. Yet, under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, the budget not only stabilized but also achieved a surplus, despite offering numerous free services.
Cheema questioned Puri about the BJP’s unfulfilled promise of depositing ₹15 lakh into the account of every Indian citizen. He also reminded the BJP about their promise to create 2 crore jobs annually, alleging that instead of generating employment, the BJP government has taken jobs away. He pointed out that the country’s unemployment rate is now at its highest in 65 years. Cheema demanded that the BJP explain why it has betrayed the youth so gravely.
