Not possible to turn state into 'Khushal Punjab' without 'double-engine' govt: State BJP chief Dhillon (IANS Interview)

 Vishal Gulati

Chandigarh, July 4 (IANS) Firmly believing that without the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) "double-engine" governments it is not possible to turn it into a 'Khushal Punjab' (prosperous Punjab). 

The party also aims not to go for a pre-poll alliance in the state Assembly polls slated early 2027 with its oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working in a mission mode named 'Punjab Mission' after a landslide win in West Bengal polls.

These were the candid views of State BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon, a Jat Sikh from the Malwa belt, whose agenda is mainly focused on welfare of farmers, revival of industry and combating the drug menace.

The 76-year-old industrialist-turned-politician told IANS in an interview that party activists "na sonde, na saun dinde" (neither they sleep, nor let others sleep).

"We all working for 'Punjab Mission', which aims to revive our industry that is suffering a lot, strengthening farming and to dismantle drug trafficking and narcotics syndicates," Dhillon remarked while laying out the BJP's roadmap if it forms its maiden government in Punjab.

Without mincing words, the State BJP President Dhillon said the party would not forge any alliance, pre-poll or post-poll, with its oldest ally, the Akalis, who joined hands with the Jan Sangh (the BJP's predecessor) in 1967.

From the 1997 Assembly elections till the 2019 Parliamentary polls, the Akali Dal had a pre-poll alliance with the BJP.

From 1967 to 1980, the BJP had been part of post-poll alliances with governments led by Akalis four times.

Kewal Singh Dhillon, the former Congressman, who defected to the BJP in June 2022 after the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) landslide win in the state, is firm believer of 'Sarkar-e-Khalsa' -- the sovereign Sikh empire.

"We (BJP) will go solo on all 117 Assembly seats," Dhillon remarked, who is toeing the inclusive governance and communal harmony model of Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh, hailed as 'Sher-e-Punjab', who ruled from 1799 to 1839.

"Maharaja Ranjit Singh's administration was marked by efficiency, inclusivity and justice. He was a visionary administrator whose policies will ensure Punjab's prosperity and set a significant example of effective leadership," the two-time MLA from Barnala (2007-2017) told IANS.

Remembering Siddhartha Shankar Ray, who was Governor of Punjab from 1986-89, the State BJP President said he contributed immensely to the state in a variety of ways.

"When Siddhartha Shankar Ray was appointed Punjab's Governor by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, at that time I returned to India from the US and started my bottling business of soft drinks," Dhillon said.

State BJP Chief Dhillon has often been credited for bringing Pepsi into Punjab when nobody was willing to invest in Punjab during terrorism.

Posing questions to the current Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, the State BJP Chief asked: "Where has Rs 20,000 crore gone which the AAP promised during (2022) elections to generate by curbing illegal sand mining? Where have AAP's promises gone on reforming the excise system by breaking the liquor cartels and increasing revenue to fund public welfare schemes?"

Dhillon also criticised the AAP-led state government over the issue of rising state borrowings and severe electricity crisis.

The State BJP President said that instead of answering the serious allegations confronting the government, Chief Minister Mann attempted to mislead the people with diversionary statements and theatrical excuses.

He added that the people of Punjab should know the facts about the unprecedented financial assistance, infrastructure development, welfare initiatives and farmer-centric schemes delivered under the 12 years of transformative leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dhillon said that more than Rs 4.13 lakh crore has directly flowed to Punjab through tax devolution, grants-in-aid, Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation and Central loans.

"Punjab received more than Rs 1.84 lakh crore through tax devolution, Rs 1.48 lakh crore in grants, Rs 39,997 crore as GST compensation and more than Rs 40,767 crore in loans and advances from the Centre."

He added that Punjab's share in Central taxes has consistently increased under successive Finance Commissions during PM Modi's tenure, demonstrating the Centre's commitment to the state's development.

Highlighting major achievements, Dhillon said Punjab has benefited from Rs 43,527 crore in National Highway projects, Rs 34,488 crore in railway investments, Rs 6,552 crore under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Rs 5,773 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Rs 5,295 crore under the National Health Mission.

"More than 11 lakh farmers have benefited from PM-KISAN, while over 17 lakh rural households have received tap water connections. Punjab has also witnessed major healthcare expansion through Ayushman Bharat, AIIMS Bathinda, new medical colleges, and more than 565 Jan Aushadhi Kendras that provide affordable medicines," he added.

The State BJP President said that these achievements reflected the spirit of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas".

Dhillon reiterated that if voted to power, the BJP would ensure a minimum support price (MSP) for every crop.

Citing the BJP government in Haryana has been providing the MSP on 24 crops, the State BJP President said a similar model would be implemented in Punjab too.

"The BJP stands firmly with farmers. We want to ensure that every crop grown in Punjab gets the protection of MSP," Dhillon added.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at [email protected])

--IANS

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