Chandigarh, April 6
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar, on the occasion of the party’s 47th Foundation Day, said that the people of Punjab are seeing BJP as a ray of hope for their future. He stated that cowardly acts like the attack on the party office by forces frightened of BJP’s growing popularity cannot shake the party’s resolve to build a “New Punjab.” He was speaking to the media after the Foundation Day event at the party headquarters. On this occasion, National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, Working President Ashwani Sharma, MP Satnam Singh and state general secretary Parminder Brar were also present.
Jakhar said that the party is moving forward on its core principle of ensuring that the benefits of governance reach the last person in society. With the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the party is working towards the vision of a New Punjab. He added that misconceptions spread about the party among people are breaking, and more people are joining BJP. He said that attacks like the one on the party office are attempts to divert the party from its goal, but a party built on sacrifices will not be intimidated.
Jakhar further said that drugs and gangsterism have become the biggest challenges in Punjab today. Families live in constant fear until their loved ones return home safely. He criticized the state government, saying that despite several campaigns against drugs, the results remain zero. He questioned whether transferring entire police stations is a solution or a punishment, adding that it reflects the real situation in Punjab. He emphasized the need for a capable government and reiterated the commitment made by the Union Home Minister that drug abuse would be eradicated within two years if BJP comes to power. He said this is not just a statement but a firm resolve, and people trust BJP to fulfill its commitments.
Responding to a question, Jakhar said that Congress has effectively surrendered before the AAP government. Referring to a Congress MP writing to a Union Minister about crop damage, he questioned why Congress leaders are not holding the Punjab government accountable, especially when the crop insurance scheme is not being implemented in the state. He added that despite ₹13,000 crore being available in the disaster relief fund, farmers are not being helped.
Targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Jakhar said that while the CM claims to bring investment into Punjab, even simple work like procuring buses is being done through the same Rajasthan-based company used during the previous Congress government—despite earlier allegations of corruption. He questioned why no investigation was conducted despite having the files.
On the issue of arrests in the party office attack case, Jakhar said that Punjab Police is capable but lacks leadership. He pointed out that while police acted quickly based on a video clip to arrest suspects, in the DM Gagandeep Randhawa case, they could not trace the minister’s phone or even locate key individuals, raising doubts about the government’s intent to deliver justice. He said BJP and the victim’s family are demanding a CBI inquiry and the party will write to MPs and MLAs in this regard.
On this occasion, National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that the Punjab government has delayed bringing a law on sacrilege. He demanded that the law should also include punishment for those who desecrate idols that have been consecrated in temples.
