Punjab people will seek an account of every rupee from AAP Govt: Kewal Singh Dhillon
BJP Punjab chief attacks AAP over drugs, law and order, corruption, mining revenue and state debt
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 20, 2026: Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Sunday launched an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, alleging that its four-and-a-half-year tenure had been marked by drugs, crime, corruption, unemployment and rising debt rather than the development promised before it came to power.
His remarks came as the AAP began a statewide door-to-door outreach campaign on September 20 to highlight the performance of the Bhagwant Mann government. The ruling party has said more than 2.68 lakh booth committee members will participate in the campaign.
Dhillon said the people of Punjab were now ready to seek an account of the government’s promises, schemes and expenditure.
He alleged that the AAP government had failed to fulfil its promise of eliminating drugs within three months and claimed that drug abuse continued to affect young people across the state.
On law and order, Dhillon alleged that incidents of gangsterism, extortion and other crimes had affected the sense of security among traders and ordinary citizens. He questioned the government’s handling of the issue and alleged that it was avoiding questions being raised by the public.
Dhillon also targeted the AAP government over corruption, saying the party had sought votes on the promise of ending corruption but that people continued to face difficulties in getting routine government work done. He referred to complaints of alleged bribery while questioning the government’s claim of providing a corruption-free administration.
Dhillon Questions ₹20,000-Crore Mining Promise
The BJP leader also questioned the government’s revenue from sand and gravel mining.
Dhillon claimed that AAP had promised to generate ₹20,000 crore annually from mining but collected only around ₹600 crore in mining revenue during 2025-26.
“What happened to Kejriwal’s ₹20,000-crore guarantee? If around ₹600 crore came in, who will account for the remaining ₹19,400 crore?” he asked.
The same ₹20,000-crore versus ₹600-crore comparison was made by Dhillon in July, when The Tribune reported his allegation that the AAP government’s mining-revenue promise had not been met.
Dhillon also criticised the government’s claims of a “revolution” in health and education, alleging that shortages of doctors in hospitals and vacancies among teachers remained issues in the state.
He said that painting or renovating existing government buildings alone could not constitute a transformation in healthcare or education.
Raises Questions Over Punjab’s Debt
Dhillon further claimed that Punjab’s total debt had risen to around ₹4.5 lakh crore, alleging that the financial burden on the state had increased during the AAP government’s tenure.
He also alleged that uncertainty over government policies was creating concern among industrialists and questioned how employment opportunities could expand without a stable investment environment.
The BJP state chief said farmers, labourers, government employees, teachers, youth, traders and women were among the sections raising questions about the government’s performance.
“For four-and-a-half years, the people of Punjab have heard the government’s claims and advertisements. Now it is the government’s turn to answer,” Dhillon said.
He said the BJP would continue to raise issues concerning Punjab and seek an account of government expenditure, mining royalties, promises and schemes.
The remarks come amid intensified political activity in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The AAP’s statewide outreach campaign is being conducted alongside the BJP’s ongoing anti-drug campaign, which began on September 18 and is scheduled to cover all 117 Assembly constituencies.