Haryana CM Nayab Saini urges Punjab to reclaim glory, slams AAP and Congress
Synopsis
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini chose the sacred soil of Sri Muktsar Sahib to deliver a sharp political message to Punjab — calling out AAP's broken promises, Congress's dynastic record, and the state's drug crisis, while holding up Haryana's welfare schemes as a model. The optics of a BJP chief minister speaking from a site of deep Sikh significance are hard to miss ahead of Punjab's next election.
Key Takeaways
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini addressed residents of Sri Muktsar Sahib , Punjab, on 24 June , urging the state to reclaim its lost glory.
Saini accused the Congress of corruption and dynastic politics, and the AAP of turning Punjab into a 'political laboratory.' AAP's promise of ₹1,100 per month to women remains unfulfilled even after four years , according to Saini.
Haryana's Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana already disburses ₹2,100 per month to women from poor families via direct bank transfer.
Saini flagged Punjab's drug crisis, rising crime, illegal mining, and youth unemployment as key governance failures.
The visit is widely seen as part of the BJP's push to expand its presence in Punjab ahead of the next state elections.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday, 24 June addressed residents of Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab, urging them to restore the state's lost glory through development, good governance, and politics rooted in national interest. Speaking from one of Punjab's most revered religious sites, Saini positioned himself not as a rival statesman but as a 'younger brother and well-wisher' of the people of Punjab.
A Call Rooted in Shared Heritage
Opening his address with obeisance to Guru Nanak Dev and all Guru Sahibs and Sahibzadas, Saini invoked the sacred significance of Sri Muktsar Sahib — a land he described as bearing 'witness to the unparalleled sacrifices of Chali Mukte, Bhai Maha Singh-ji and Mai Bhago-ji.' He emphasised that Punjab and Haryana share a common culture, language, and emotional bond, framing his outreach as one between kindred communities rather than competing states.
Saini's Broadside Against Congress and AAP
The Haryana Chief Minister launched a pointed attack on both the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the two parties that have governed Punjab in recent years. He accused the Congress of corruption, dynastic politics, and obstructing development. Turning to the AAP, he alleged the party had 'turned Punjab into a political laboratory' and failed to honour its commitments to voters.
Saini specifically flagged AAP's unfulfilled promise to provide ₹1,100 per month to women — a pledge that, he noted, remained undelivered even after four years. 'Every section of society is asking where the promised change is,' he said, according to reports from the event.
Haryana's Welfare Record Held Up as Contrast
In a pointed comparison, Saini highlighted that the Haryana government had already begun disbursing ₹2,100 per month to women from poor families under the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, with funds transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts. The contrast was clearly intended to draw a favourable comparison with AAP's governance record in Punjab.
Drugs, Crime, and Migration: The Crisis Saini Outlined
Beyond welfare, Saini raised what he called Punjab's most serious challenge — the growing menace of drug abuse, which he said had 'devastated many families and endangered the future of the youth.' He also questioned the AAP government's handling of crime, illegal mining, financial mismanagement, and deteriorating law and order.
He noted that Punjab's youth were struggling to find employment, with thousands reportedly being compelled to seek illegal routes to migrate abroad. This comes amid a broader national conversation about youth unemployment and the phenomenon of 'donkey routes' — illegal migration pathways — that have drawn significant media and political attention in recent years.
Political Significance of the Visit
Saini's address at Sri Muktsar Sahib carries unmistakable political undertones. Punjab is due to head to the polls, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — of which Saini is a prominent leader — has been working to expand its footprint in a state where it has historically struggled. Speaking from a site of deep Sikh religious significance signals a deliberate outreach to a community that has at times been estranged from the BJP. The visit is widely seen as part of a sustained effort to position the BJP as a credible alternative in Punjab ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
And choosing a site of profound Sikh religious memory to attack AAP and Congress is a calculated move. The welfare comparison — Haryana's ₹2,100 against AAP's undelivered ₹1,100 — is the kind of retail politics that resonates on the ground. But the deeper question is whether BJP can credibly claim the Punjab narrative when its own record on drug enforcement and farmer relations in the state remains contested. Outreach from a neighbouring CM, however well-intentioned, also risks being read as interference — a framing AAP is certain to exploit.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini visit Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab?
Saini addressed residents of Sri Muktsar Sahib on 24 June to urge them to reclaim Punjab's lost glory through development and good governance. He framed the visit as that of a 'younger brother and well-wisher' rather than a rival politician, though the address carried clear political messaging ahead of Punjab's next elections.
What did Saini say about AAP's governance in Punjab?
Saini alleged that the AAP had turned Punjab into a 'political laboratory' and failed to fulfil its promises. He specifically cited the party's undelivered pledge to provide ₹1,100 per month to women, which he said remained unfulfilled even after four years in power.
What is the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana that Saini mentioned?
It is a Haryana government welfare scheme under which ₹2,100 per month is disbursed directly into the bank accounts of women from poor families. Saini cited it as evidence of Haryana's superior governance record compared to AAP-ruled Punjab.
What are the key issues Saini raised about Punjab's current situation?
Saini highlighted drug abuse, rising crime, illegal mining, financial mismanagement, deteriorating law and order, and youth unemployment as the major crises facing Punjab. He said thousands of young people were being compelled to seek illegal routes to migrate abroad.
What is the political significance of Saini's speech at Sri Muktsar Sahib?
Sri Muktsar Sahib is a site of deep Sikh religious and historical significance. Saini's choice of venue is widely seen as part of the BJP's effort to expand its presence in Punjab and build credibility with Sikh voters ahead of the next state assembly elections.
