Chandigarh, May 13
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar said that the Aam Aadmi Party is trying to divert people’s attention from real issues in Punjab by constantly creating new narratives, but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP will not allow this to happen.
Addressing a press conference here, the state BJP president said that Mir than 3 lakh employees and 4 lakh pensioners in Punjab are waiting for their DA installments and arrears. He said that the Hon’ble High Court had directed the government to release ₹15,000 crore in DA installments and arrears to employees and pensioners by June 30, but the government has again approached the court. He added that before the elections, Arvind Kejriwal had promised that people would not have to stage protests or face police action for jobs, but today the situation remains unchanged.
Jakhar said the anti-employee face of the government has been exposed because, for the first time since independence, an Aam Aadmi Party government is not only refusing to release DA installments but has also challenged the very provision of granting DA in its appeal. The Bhagwant Mann government has reportedly argued that the government is not bound to increase DA.
Jakhar said that DA is not charity for employees but their rightful entitlement, and the government should release it without delay. He added that while the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Haryana, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan, is providing 60% DA, Punjab employees are receiving DA at only 42%.
Jakhar further said that pe voted for the BJP in West Bengal because law and order had deteriorated there and employees were also not receiving DA. According to him, Punjab is now facing similar circumstances. He assured employees that the BJP would improve the situation, ensure DA payments, and safeguard all employee interests.
Replying to another question, he said the BJP is not afraid of any threats and that the safety of Punjab’s people is the party’s priority. He added that had the Congress acted responsibly, it might have retained some credibility, but instead it has “surrendered” before the AAP.
Jakhar said Punjab needs strong leadership and that only the BJP can ensure the safety of life and property for the people. He claimed that under a BJP government, all work would be time-bound. Referring to the BJP’s governance record, he said just as Naxalism was curbed, gangsterism and drugs would also be eliminated from Punjab.
Responding to another question, he said that those who withdrew singer Sidhu Moosewala’s security and publicized it—thereby becoming responsible for his murder—are today speaking about Diljit Dosanjh. He suggested that AAP leaders should first manage their own affairs.
BJP to oppose use of ballot papers in local body elections: BJP
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar said that, fearing defeat in the local body elections, the Punjab government and State Election Commission are attempting to conduct the elections through ballot papers instead of EVMs, allegedly to manipulate results as was done during panchayat elections. He noted that these elections had been conducted through EVMs in the past. He said the BJP strongly opposes this decision and will file a petition with the State Election Commission regarding the matter. He added that the BJP will never allow attempts by the AAP to “hijack” local body elections to succeed.
