Punjab FM Harpal Singh Cheema slammed BJP and Congress over serious corruption allegations by Sidhu and Jakhar, demanding a response within 24 hours.

Punjab Finance Minister and senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Harpal Singh Cheema,  issued a stern critique of the high commands of the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and demanded an immediate response to the serious corruption allegations brought forth by Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Sunil Jakhar.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Cheema stated, “I challenge the leadership of the Congress and the leadership of the BJP: why are you remaining silent?” Are you remaining mute due to your complicity in this corruption? I formally request the senior commands of the Congress and BJP to respond within 24 hours.

Minister Cheema questioned the lack of response from the upper commands of the BJP and Congress concerning leaders who have changed allegiance, yet whose previous actions and statements reveal entrenched corruption. He recalled that the present Punjab BJP President, who previously served as the Punjab Congress President, held office during the tenures of two Chief Ministers: Captain Amarinder Singh, who allegedly became Chief Minister for Rs 500 crore, according to Navjot Kaur Sidhu, and Charanjit Singh Channi, who was purportedly appointed following a Rs 350 crore deal, as claimed by Sunil Jakhar. He inquired as to why Mr. Jakhar remained mute during his tenure with the Congress party, observing the sale of ministerial positions and assembly seats, and only voiced his concerns after joining the BJP. He also highlighted the instance involving Channi’s relative, from whom approximately ₹10 crore was recovered, a matter currently under judicial consideration.

Also read : CM Bhagwant Mann Seeks Korean Investment Boost Across Energy, Food, Defense & Startup Sectors

The Finance Minister emphasized that the integrity and actions of the leaders of the parties that governed Punjab from 1997 to 2022 are now being revealed by their own members. He referenced the recent disclosure by Navjot Kaur Sidhu concerning the purported “sale” of the Chief Minister position within the Congress government for a sum of Rs 500 crore. Adv. Cheema estimated that the Congress Chief Ministers, based on a preliminary calculation, may have expended approximately Rs 2,000 crore, which subsequently resulted in the exploitation of the people of Punjab to an estimated value of Rs 30,000 crore.

The Finance Minister highlighted that the emergence of the sand, liquor, and transport mafias, coupled with the Scholarship Scam that defrauded the Scheduled Castes and extensive scandals within drug de-addiction centers, were all manifestations of a “systemic structure of corruption” established within the Congress party. This structure has resulted in the ongoing exploitation of the state’s farmers, laborers, traders, Dalit community, and government employees.

Cheema concluded by asserting that the people of Punjab have ultimately recognized how the traditional parties were maintained through corruption, resulting in a decisive mandate for the Aam Aad Aadmi Party (AAP) under the leadership of the principled Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann. It is only following the establishment of an honest government under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, supported by 95 AAP MLAs, that the true source of this malfeasance has been revealed. Today, there are no fraudulent activities in Punjab, including land schemes, transportation scams, or atrocities against Dalits. This demonstrates that the populace elected an integrity-driven government. He also emphasized the developmental initiatives undertaken by the AAP government, including youth employment, the establishment of Schools of Eminence, the construction of 3,000 sports stadiums, the provision of 300 units of free electricity, and the enhancement of the road network, indicating a departure from the previous era of “climb and conquer” politics.