Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), asserted on Sunday that the Central government was intentionally withholding funds allocated to Punjab, hindering the developmental initiatives undertaken by his party's government in the state. Kejriwal, participating in the Vikas Kranti rally, accused both the Akali and Congress governments of obstructing Punjab's welfare and claimed that his political adversaries had influenced the Centre to halt funds for the Punjab government, according to media reports.
In his statement, Kejriwal expressed dissatisfaction with the collaboration of various political parties against AAP, accusing them of urging the Central government to impede the progress of his government's work in Punjab. According to Kejriwal, the rivals' concern stemmed from the fear that AAP's effective governance would overshadow their own political standing.
Kejriwal's allegations of fund obstruction echoed a similar sentiment expressed by Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, who has been engaged in a prolonged dispute with the Central government, claiming a freeze on funds for MNREGA in her state. Recently, Banerjee emphasized the necessity for the Centre to allocate funds for social welfare schemes in West Bengal or step down from power. She is currently in Delhi, seeking an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the alleged fund freeze.
Kejriwal continued his critique of the Centre, specifically targeting the withholding of ₹5,500 crore designated for rural development and road construction in mandis. This move, according to Kejriwal, adversely affects essential infrastructure development in Punjab.
The strained relationship between AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) extends beyond Punjab to Delhi, where AAP has been in power since 2013. Kejriwal has previously accused the Centre, through the Lieutenant Governor, of obstructing development work in the national capital. Notably, key AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are currently incarcerated in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam.
