Chandigarh, March 6: Punjab Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, and Harbhajan Singh ETO launched a sharp attack on the Congress party on Friday. They condemned Congress’s decision to boycott the Governor’s speech, stating, “This is an insult to the House and the 75-year-old parliamentary traditions of the state.”
The ministers accused the opposition of creating a ruckus in the House to distract the public from significant milestones in the state’s development. Cheema remarked that the Congress government’s identity in Punjab is linked to the rise of the liquor, sand, and transport mafia rather than the welfare of the people.
He stated, “While the previous government allowed the state’s resources to be plundered, the current AAP government is focused on financial discipline and genuine development. Congress, which has already hit rock bottom in states like Delhi and Bihar, is likely to face a similar fate in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections due to its anti-people and anti-Dalit stance.”
Criticizing the opposition’s behavior in the House, Cheema noted that the Governor had requested Congress to sit, listen, and respond during discussions, but the party acted in a completely undemocratic manner. “Their behavior shows a lack of respect for constitutional norms,” he added.
He also criticized Congress’s attitude towards the Dalit community, referencing the poor treatment of his cabinet colleague. “People know that Congress is anti-Dalit. Look at Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, who passed the civil service exam to serve the public and later joined AAP. Yet, Congress leadership dared to compare such a capable individual to a ‘band baja’ (musical band). Today, when our colleagues expressed their anger by bringing a band, Congress leaders were disheartened as they could not face the truth of their arrogance.”
Speaking on the issue, AAP’s state president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora described Congress’s actions in the Assembly as “a shameful spectacle and a direct attack on democratic traditions.” He emphasized, “Their behavior is an insult to the House and the 75-year-old parliamentary traditions of the state. For the past 75 years, the Governor’s speech has been a serious opportunity to present the state’s report card and future roadmap. Yet, from the very first word of the Governor, Congress decided to disrupt the proceedings with bad slogans.”