Naib Saini’s Statement Is a Pack of Lies; Punjab Government Compensated Every Flood-Affected Family: Baltej Pannu

Chandigarh, January 17, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab State Media Incharge Baltej Pannu has strongly hit back at Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini over his statement regarding compensation to flood-affected people in Punjab. Calling Saini’s allegations a “bundle of lies”, Pannu said that instead of worrying about Punjab, the Haryana Chief Minister should ask the Central Government to clear Punjab’s pending dues.
 
Pannu said that despite being the Chief Minister of a state, Saini spends more time visiting Punjab than Haryana. “It would have been better if, before making statements, you had gone to the ground and checked the facts yourself. The Punjab Government has provided compensation to every single flood-affected family. Whether it was damaged houses, loss of livestock, or tragic deaths in families, the Punjab Government stood by every victim and supported them in their time of need,” he said.
 
Targeting the Centre, Pannu asked where is the Rs 1,600 crore ‘token money’ announced by the Prime Minister for flood relief during his Punjab visit. “When the Centre has not even released the token amount, what further help can Punjab expect? The anti-Punjab face of the Central Government has now been completely exposed,” he said.
 
Pannu further said that if Saini wants to hold a press conference, he should do so among the flood-affected people instead of in closed rooms. “The people there will themselves tell you who stood with them during difficult times,” he said. He added that in Saini’s own Haryana Assembly, the Punjab Government’s ‘Jisda Khet, Usdi Ret’ (sand policy) was praised, which is a revolutionary step in the interest of farmers.
 
Pannu said in clear terms that Punjab and Punjabis have always faced hardships on their own strength. “The Punjab Government stands with every Punjabi in difficult times. Punjab does not need help or advice from leaders like you,” he said. The AAP leader advised Saini to focus his energy on resolving Haryana’s issues and ensuring that Punjab receives its pending dues from the Centre, instead of indulging in misleading statements.