AAP

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has canceled his planned tour of flood-affected regions alongside Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal due to illness. The decision comes at a critical time when large parts of Punjab are grappling with rising waters, damaged crops, and disrupted livelihoods. While Mann’s absence has sparked concern, government officials emphasized that relief operations are continuing without interruption.

Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from Punjab, has found himself at the center of a political storm as he reportedly evades arrest by the state’s own police force. The unusual episode, where a ruling party MLA faces action from his government’s machinery, has sparked widespread debate over political accountability and internal rifts. While authorities have not fully disclosed the charges, the case underscores tensions within the state’s governance model.

Flood-ravaged communities in Punjab have accused authorities of neglect, claiming they have been left without food, medical aid, or adequate shelter. Torrential rains and overflowing rivers have displaced thousands, submerging farmlands and destroying homes. While officials insist that relief measures are underway, affected families argue that assistance has been slow, insufficient, and poorly coordinated. The crisis has amplified frustrations over disaster preparedness, highlighting gaps in infrastructure, communication, and governance.

The state of Punjab has renewed its call for financial compensation from the Centre to offset revenue shortfalls arising from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. Officials argue that the transition to GST has significantly eroded the state’s fiscal autonomy, particularly given its heavy reliance on revenue streams such as value-added tax (VAT) on alcohol and petroleum products, which remain outside the GST framework.

Punjab ministers have come under intense political scrutiny after videos emerged showing them discussing overseas and domestic leisure trips while conducting flood inspections. The incident, occurring during ongoing relief operations in flood-affected regions, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, with both BJP and Congress accusing the government of insensitivity toward disaster-hit citizens. Analysts argue that such missteps can undermine public trust and distract from urgent crisis management.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has publicly criticized the government’s new health model, arguing that it falls short in addressing systemic issues and equitable access to healthcare. Party leaders highlighted concerns over infrastructure inadequacies, resource allocation, and the effectiveness of proposed schemes in rural and semi-urban areas. They urged the government to adopt a more inclusive and decentralized approach, emphasizing preventive care, transparency, and public accountability.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the central government of deliberately obstructing the distribution of free ration to approximately 5.5 million beneficiaries in the state. Speaking at a public forum, CM Mann claimed that bureaucratic hurdles and policy roadblocks from the Centre were undermining the state’s welfare initiatives aimed at providing essential food support to vulnerable populations. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the state and central authorities over social welfare programs and resource allocation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sharply criticized the Punjab government for allegedly failing to implement several central government schemes in the state. Party leaders argue that this delay has deprived citizens of crucial welfare benefits, ranging from subsidized food and housing initiatives to employment and health programs. The criticism comes amid mounting political tensions between the state and central authorities, highlighting governance challenges and administrative bottlenecks.

Punjab Chief Minister has issued a firm statement pledging that not a single ration card in the state will be deleted, directly opposing the Centre’s proposed policy to purge certain cards from the national database. The move is framed as a protection of citizens’ food security rights and a safeguard for vulnerable populations dependent on the Public Distribution System (PDS). The CM emphasized that any attempt to remove ration cards without proper verification could adversely affect millions of families.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has intensified his attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, raising sharp questions over the BJP’s practice of inducting leaders with criminal backgrounds. Addressing a public event, Kejriwal recalled his 160-day stint in jail and claimed that even in his absence, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi worked efficiently for the people. He accused the ruling party of hypocrisy, arguing that while he was jailed for political reasons, the BJP has continued to welcome leaders facing serious charges without accountability.