BJP's Jakhar slams AAP govt over Punjab rural recruitment irregularities
Synopsis
BJP's Sunil Jakhar has accused Punjab's AAP government of manipulating the PSRLM recruitment process — the very kind of irregularity the party built its political identity opposing. With the Punjab and Haryana High Court already ordering an independent inquiry, the controversy strikes at the heart of AAP's 'absolute honesty' brand in Punjab.
Key Takeaways
BJP leader Sunil Jakhar on 29 July alleged irregularities in the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission recruitment held on 28 January .
The matter reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court after an applicant filed a complaint; the court has constituted an independent inquiry committee.
Jakhar demanded to know whose recommendation led to the alleged manipulation and called for Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains to resign on moral grounds.
He linked the controversy to previous examination paper leak incidents in Punjab, questioning the AAP government's credibility on fair hiring.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has previously claimed government jobs in Punjab are given without recommendations or bribery — a claim Jakhar says the PSRLM case directly contradicts.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday, 29 July launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging serious irregularities in the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission (PSRLM) recruitment process and demanding ministerial accountability. The controversy centres on a recruitment drive held on 28 January, which is now under scrutiny following a court-ordered independent inquiry.
The Recruitment Controversy
The matter came to public attention after an applicant moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging manipulation in the PSRLM recruitment process. The High Court subsequently constituted an independent inquiry committee to examine the allegations. Jakhar, a former State BJP president, raised the issue through a post on social media, calling the development a direct contradiction of the AAP government's proclaimed commitment to transparency.
Jakhar's Charges Against the AAP Government
Jakhar questioned who authorised the alleged manipulation and demanded to know whether Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who oversees the concerned department, would be asked to resign on moral grounds. He argued that AAP leaders project an image of 'uncompromising honesty' outside Punjab but, according to him, abandon ethical standards once in power within the state.
He drew a pointed parallel with the state's recurring examination paper leak incidents, asserting that the AAP government's claims of fair job distribution carry no more credibility than its earlier denials of those leaks. 'Under the guise of honesty, the AAP government is ruthlessly looting Punjab and has now extended this to depriving unemployed youth of their rightful employment opportunities,' Jakhar said.
Challenge to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly maintained that government jobs in Punjab are dispensed without recommendations or bribery. Jakhar directly challenged that claim, arguing that the PSRLM recruitment controversy exposes a widening gap between the government's stated principles and its on-ground conduct. He demanded that the Chief Minister specify a timeline for action against those found responsible.
What Happens Next
With the Punjab and Haryana High Court's independent inquiry committee now active, the findings could put the AAP administration under significant legal and political pressure. The opposition is expected to keep the issue alive in the run-up to any upcoming legislative sessions, and calls for Minister Harjot Singh Bains to step down are likely to intensify if the inquiry surfaces prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.
Point of View
But judicial scrutiny is not. If the inquiry surfaces systemic interference, the pressure on Minister Bains and, by extension, Chief Minister Mann will be difficult to contain through denial alone. AAP cannot afford a Punjab that looks like every other state it once criticised.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations against the AAP government in the Punjab PSRLM recruitment case?
BJP leader Sunil Jakhar has alleged that the recruitment conducted on 28 January for the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission was manipulated under the AAP government. He claims the irregularities contradict the party's stated commitment to fair and transparent hiring.
What action has the Punjab and Haryana High Court taken?
The Punjab and Haryana High Court constituted an independent inquiry committee after an applicant approached it with a complaint about irregularities in the PSRLM recruitment process. The inquiry is ongoing.
Who is Harjot Singh Bains and why is he being targeted?
Harjot Singh Bains is Punjab's Education Minister and the minister in charge of the department linked to the PSRLM recruitment. BJP's Jakhar has demanded that Bains be asked to resign on moral grounds given the alleged irregularities in his department.
How does this controversy relate to previous paper leak incidents in Punjab?
Jakhar drew a direct parallel between the PSRLM recruitment row and multiple examination paper leak incidents that have occurred in Punjab under the AAP government. He argued both episodes undermine the government's claim of providing jobs and opportunities fairly and without corruption.
What has Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said about job recruitment in Punjab?
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly asserted that government jobs in Punjab are distributed without recommendations or bribery. Jakhar challenged this claim, saying the PSRLM recruitment controversy directly contradicts the Chief Minister's stated position.
