Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
“Resolutions not enough, take the flight to Delhi”: Pargat Singh targets AAP Govt over MGNREGA Special Session
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 30, 2025:Congress MLA Pargat Singh on Tuesday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party government for convening a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on MGNREGA, saying that passing resolutions alone would not protect Punjab’s interests. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to lead the fight directly in Delhi and confront the Central Government, asserting that the opposition would stand with the state if it took a firm stand.
“There is no need for symbolic one-day special sessions. The Chief Minister and the AAP government should go to Delhi and raise Punjab’s voice forcefully. We are ready to accompany them,” Pargat Singh said, while demanding that the government convene proper and regular Assembly sessions instead of what he termed political optics.
Highlighting the legacy of MGNREGA, Singh said the scheme was introduced by the Congress-led UPA government under former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to provide livelihood security to the poorest sections. He alleged that the BJP-led Centre had diluted the scheme by changing its structure and shifting it to a 60:40 Centre-State funding pattern, placing an additional financial burden of ₹30,000–₹50,000 crore on the states.
Pargat Singh claimed that while many states are still able to provide around 70 days of employment under MGNREGA, Punjab under the AAP government has managed to provide only 26 days of work this year. He also pointed out that the daily wage in Punjab stands at ₹346, which is significantly lower than ₹400 in neighbouring Haryana, calling it unfair to Punjab’s labourers.
Referring to the COVID-19 period, Singh said the reverse migration of nearly seven crore workers to villages reduced the availability of cheap labour for corporate houses. He alleged that the Centre was now attempting to weaken MGNREGA to favour corporate interests by ensuring a steady supply of low-cost labour.
The Congress MLA also took strong exception to what he described as the state government’s reluctance to hold full legislative sessions. “A one-day special session cannot replace a proper Assembly sitting. Promises of fair debate were made, but only a handful of members were allowed to speak,” he alleged.
On broader issues, Singh said the AAP government had failed to strongly oppose key central legislations, including proposed education bills, and had taken a weak stand on matters like the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). “Passing resolutions and clicking photographs will not help Punjab. Legal and constitutional action is required,” he said.
Pargat Singh further cautioned against diluting the sacred legacy of the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, stressing that symbolic gestures could never replace meaningful systemic reforms. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to personally lead all MLAs to Delhi and raise Punjab’s concerns at the national level.
“All political parties will stand with the government if it genuinely defends Punjab’s rights,” he said, while warning the AAP government against acting as a “B-team of the BJP.” Singh also expressed concern over growing social divisions and said Punjab must draw strength from its history to rebuild a just and balanced system.
“Time is slipping away. After our Gurus, Maharaja Ranjit Singh upheld Punjab’s true spirit. That legacy is fading today, and it is our collective responsibility to restore it,” he added.