Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
Harpal Cheema challenges Congress, BJP over corruption allegations
Highlights AAP governance achievements
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 8, 2025: Punjab Finance Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, on Monday launched a blistering attack on the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high commands over alleged corruption in Punjab, demanding an immediate response.
Addressing a press conference at the AAP state office, Cheema said, “I challenge the high command of the Congress and BJP: Why are you silent? Are you silent because you are complicit in this corruption? I challenge both to respond within 24 hours.”
The Finance Minister highlighted instances of alleged wrongdoing, including claims by Navjot Kaur Sidhu that the Chief Minister’s post in the Congress government was “sold” for Rs 500 crore, and by Sunil Jakhar regarding a Rs 350 crore deal. He questioned why these issues went unaddressed while the leaders held positions of power and noted the recent recovery of nearly Rs 10 crore from a relative of former CM Charanjit Singh Channi.
Cheema further pointed to the systemic exploitation during 1997–2022, citing scandals in sand, liquor, and transport mafias, scholarship frauds affecting Scheduled Castes, and mismanagement of drug de-addiction centers. He claimed such corruption led to a cumulative loss of Rs 30,000 crore for Punjab’s people.
Emphasizing the contrast under the AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Cheema said, “Today, there are no scams, no land scams, no transport scams, no atrocities on Dalits. The people of Punjab chose an honest government.”
He also highlighted AAP’s developmental initiatives, including youth employment, establishment of Schools of Eminence, creation of 3,000 sports stadiums, provision of 300 units of free electricity, and strengthened road networks.
The Finance Minister concluded that the AAP government had effectively ended the era of “climb and conquer” politics in Punjab, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.