Haryana CM Nayab Saini slams AAP, Rahul Gandhi over Punjab paper leak silence
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday, 30 July launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning their silence over an alleged paper leak in Punjab that he said has left thousands of young aspirants feeling 'humiliated and betrayed'. Saini made the remarks while speaking to the media in Karnal after attending the concluding ceremony of the 77th state-level Van Mahotsav.
Saini's Attack on the Opposition
The Chief Minister accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of maintaining 'one face for public posturing and another for their actual conduct.' He argued that while these parties 'make lofty promises, their actions tell a different story.' Saini specifically questioned why neither the Punjab state government nor the Congress leadership had spoken out on the paper leak controversy, even as affected youth were reportedly protesting on the streets.
Sisodia's Old Promise Recalled
Saini invoked a past statement by AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who had publicly declared that if a paper leak occurred under an AAP government, the Education Minister would be the first to resign. 'Today, everyone is silent. A paper leak has taken place in Punjab, but neither the Aam Aadmi Party nor the Congress is speaking on the issue,' Saini said. The Chief Minister termed the incident 'extremely unfortunate' and said it has exposed the AAP government's failure to safeguard students' interests.
Modi's Anti-Paper Leak Law Cited
Contrasting the AAP government's response with that of the Centre, Saini said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated commitment to protecting the future of the country's youth by enacting a stringent anti-paper leak law. He said this legislative action stands in sharp contrast to the alleged inaction of the Punjab government on the current controversy.
BJP Eyes Punjab, Draws Haryana Parallel
Expressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would form the next government in Punjab, Saini said the promises made by the AAP government remain unfulfilled. He drew a parallel with Haryana, saying the state 'is witnessing unprecedented development under a double-engine government' and projected that Punjab too would see 'faster development, better governance and greater opportunities for its youth once the BJP comes to power.' The remarks signal that the BJP is already building its Punjab campaign narrative around governance failures of the incumbent AAP administration.