Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Kuldeep Dhaliwal on Saturday, 18 July declared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab was a 'flop show', charging the Union Government with withholding thousands of crores in Rural Development Fund (RDF) and other dues owed to the state. Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Dhaliwal said the Prime Minister's statements were 'hollow and intended to mislead the people.'

RDF Funds and Debt Accusations

Dhaliwal alleged that the Centre has been sitting on Punjab's rightful RDF and other funds while simultaneously accusing the state of fiscal mismanagement. 'When we take loans for Punjab's development, they accuse us of mismanagement, whereas the truth is that the Union Government is sitting on Punjab's rightful funds,' he said. He maintained that every loan raised by the AAP state government is directed toward hospitals, schools, colleges, roads, healthcare facilities, pensions for the poor, and public welfare — 'not meant to benefit any industrialist.'

Attack on BJP Over Ram Mandir Donations

The AAP legislator launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that those who 'can steal donations in the name of a sacred place like the Ram Mandir can never be honest towards the nation.' Dhaliwal claimed the BJP 'openly stole donations by exploiting the faith of people across the country' during the construction of the Ram Mandir. The BJP has not responded to these specific allegations.

Ethanol Blending Policy Under Fire

Dhaliwal also targeted the Centre's policy of blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol, calling it 'another burden on the common people's pocket.' He questioned the legal basis of the mandate, arguing that while the policy was promoted as a measure to reduce fuel prices, costs have in fact risen further. He alleged the arrangement 'is benefiting a few selected companies while the common people are paying the price,' and demanded that the Prime Minister publicly clarify the legal framework and quantify the public benefit.

Drugs, Drones, and Farmers Left Unaddressed

On the drug menace, Dhaliwal held the BJP–Shiromani Akali Dal alliance government responsible for the spread of narcotics in Punjab. He said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly urged the Centre to deploy modern anti-drone systems along Punjab's 532-km international border to prevent smuggling of drugs and weapons from Pakistan via drones — a request that, according to Dhaliwal, has received no effective response to date. He also said the Prime Minister remained 'completely silent' on farmer issues, noting that despite the deaths of 720 farmers and a promised ₹1,600 crore relief for flood victims, the Union Government has not disbursed 'even a single penny till date.'

Political Context

This comes amid an escalating fiscal standoff between the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led Centre, with the state repeatedly alleging denial of constitutionally due funds. The RDF dispute is not new — Punjab has raised the issue across multiple budget cycles. Dhaliwal's remarks signal that AAP intends to make Centre-state fund allocation a key political flashpoint ahead of future electoral contests.