States » NorthPosted at: Oct 22 2026 5:40PM


Kejriwal slams Raja Warring's subsidy remarks, warns Congress could scrap Punjab welfare schemes

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Oct 22 (UNI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday sharply criticised Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring's remarks on subsidies, warning that a Congress government in Punjab could withdraw free electricity and other welfare benefits provided by the Bhagwant Mann administration.
Kejriwal's criticism followed Warring's statement that, if the Congress returned to power, it would discontinue subsidies for people who did not need them and restrict the benefits to deserving beneficiaries.
The AAP leader interpreted the remarks as a warning sign for households benefiting from the state government's welfare programmes and accused the Congress of threatening financial relief extended to ordinary families.
Kejriwal said Punjab residents should be alert to the possibility of losing free electricity and financial assistance for women under a future Congress administration.
The controversy quickly escalated, with senior AAP leaders holding separate press conferences to challenge Warring's position and defend the Mann government's welfare policies.
AAP spokesperson Baltej Pannu backed Kejriwal's criticism, accusing the Congress of pursuing policies that were against the interests of ordinary people.
Pannu claimed the Congress would use Punjab's financial difficulties as a pretext to withdraw welfare measures, while the AAP government had sought to protect household incomes through free electricity, improved public services and financial assistance.
He said the Mann administration had strengthened transparency and curbed corruption, enabling it to extend benefits to millions of families.
Punjab AAP president and cabinet minister Aman Arora also attacked Warring at a separate press conference, alleging that the Congress leader's statement had exposed the party's approach towards welfare spending.
"Warring's statement has made it clear that the facilities people are receiving will be discontinued as soon as a Congress government comes to power," Arora said.
He alleged that a Congress government could withdraw the free electricity entitlement of 600 units over two months, healthcare coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh and monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 or Rs 1,500 for eligible women.
Arora further claimed that improvements in government schools and hospitals could be undermined if the Congress returned to power.
The Mann government provides eligible domestic consumers with up to 300 units of free electricity per month. AAP has also highlighted its healthcare coverage and women's financial assistance programmes as major welfare initiatives.
The party has repeatedly presented these measures as evidence of its commitment to reducing the financial burden on households.
Warring's remarks, however, referred specifically to ending subsidies for people who did not need them, rather than withdrawing assistance from all beneficiaries.
The exchange has brought the future of Punjab's welfare programmes into sharper political focus ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with AAP seeking to hold the Congress accountable for the implications of its subsidy policy.
The Congress leader's remarks and AAP's response have also highlighted the competing approaches to welfare spending, as Punjab faces concerns over the cost of subsidies and its wider financial position.UNI NB AAB
Tags: #Kejriwal slams Raja Warring's subsidy remarks# warns Congress could scrap Punjab welfare schemes
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