Jalandhar, Jan 8: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday stepped up its attack on the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress during a public rally in Jalandhar, accusing both parties of opposing welfare reforms aimed at labourers.
Launching a state-level awareness campaign on the Viksit Bharat Ji Ram Ji Scheme, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar said the new employment law would dismantle entrenched corruption by bypassing middlemen. “Those opposing the scheme are the same people whose illegal income streams are about to shut down,” he told the gathering.
Jakhar said the law ensures direct transfer of wages into labourers’ bank accounts and raises the number of guaranteed workdays to 125, unlike earlier systems that allowed leakages.
He accused AAP and Congress of adopting a selective approach to secularism by objecting to the scheme’s name. “Their silence and past conduct, including objectionable remarks made in the Delhi Assembly, speak volumes,” he said, referring to former AAP leader Atishi.
Turning his focus to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Jakhar demanded a neutral probe into a controversial video circulating online. “The investigation must establish whether the video is real or fabricated using AI. If it is real, the Chief Minister cannot continue in office,” he said, calling for judicial supervision of the probe.
Jakhar also criticised the state government’s priorities, accusing it of diverting public funds towards advertisements across the country. “Punjab’s money should be spent on Punjab’s development, not political branding,” he said.
He further expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation, citing recent murders and increasing drug abuse. “The government has lost control, and public confidence in policing has weakened,” Jakhar claimed.
BJP national secretary Narinder Raina, addressing the rally, said the AAP government’s approach was driven by opposition to Central initiatives rather than concern for public welfare. “Reforms were introduced after CAG reports exposed misuse of funds under previous schemes,” he said.
Later, speaking to the media, Jakhar questioned the state government on the funds it had released from its own resources for rural development over the past four years. He also criticised the state’s health insurance programme, alleging that coverage was far lower than what was publicly claimed.
Senior BJP leaders and local office-bearers were present during the programme.
