Is Congress and AAP to Blame for Punjab's Flood Crisis?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Political Accountability: Leaders must be held responsible during crises.
- Flood Management: Ineffective measures have severe consequences.
- Opposition Duties: The role of the opposition is crucial in governance.
- Public Trust: Trust in leaders is essential for effective governance.
- Disaster Preparedness: Improved strategies are needed to prevent future disasters.
Chandigarh, Sep 19 (NationPress) The President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab, Sunil Jakhar, stated on Friday that the Congress has compromised the interests of the state to gain advantages at the national level by aligning with the Aam Aadmi Party.
He expressed concern that, despite the evident failures of the state government leading to the floods in Punjab, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Congress, failed to criticize the government during his recent visit.
“The local Congress leadership is not fulfilling its role as the Opposition,” Jakhar remarked in a statement.
He emphasized that this situation “shows both parties are essentially the same, and their alliance is now apparent”.
Despite claims by the state government of having invested Rs 230 crore in flood prevention, the devastation caused by the washed-out embankments indicates a lack of genuine action on their part.
“The catastrophic situation is a clear indication of the Punjab government’s negligence, yet the Congress chooses to remain silent on this pressing issue,” the BJP leader stated.
He criticized the assembly session called by the government as nothing more than a tactic to waste time.
“If they were genuinely concerned, they would have utilized the Rs 12,000 crore available from the State Disaster Response Fund to provide immediate aid to the affected populace,” he added.
Jakhar warned that the Congress would face repercussions for betraying Punjab, while the AAP government, responsible for the plight of the people, will have to answer to the citizens.
Earlier, Tarun Chugh, the BJP’s national General Secretary, accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of transforming a natural disaster into a “Mann-made disaster”.
Chugh stated: “The incompetence and delays of the AAP government in Punjab have escalated a seasonal challenge into a humanitarian crisis. This was more than just a flood; it’s a Mann-made disaster.”