States » NorthPosted at: Nov 6 2026 2:46PM


Saini targets Mann over delayed payments to Punjab women, farmers; dares Rahul Gandhi to public debate

Chandigarh, Nov 6 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on Friday, launched a sharp attack on Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party government, accusing it of delaying its election promise of monthly financial assistance to women and putting politics ahead of farmers' welfare, while challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to defend his allegations of "vote theft" in a public debate.
Targeting Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP's national leadership, Saini questioned why the party had taken nearly four years to introduce its promised Rs 1,000 monthly assistance for women after coming to power in 2022.
Addressing a press conference at Haryana Niwas here, Saini accused AAP of making electoral promises to secure votes and delaying their implementation until the next Assembly election approached.
He said women in Punjab had been promised Rs 1,000 every month, and the ruling party should explain why the financial assistance had not been provided throughout its tenure.
The Punjab government introduced the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojana in 2026, under which eligible women receive Rs 1,000 monthly and Scheduled Caste women Rs 1,500. Payments began in July, and the Mann government said on November 2 that cumulative disbursements had reached Rs 3,934.80 crore.
Saini contrasted the Punjab government's record with Haryana's welfare programmes, saying his administration had implemented subsidised LPG cylinders at Rs 500 for eligible families earning up to Rs 1.80 lakh annually.
Escalating his criticism, Saini accused the Punjab government of allowing political differences to interfere with humanitarian assistance during natural calamities.
He claimed Haryana offered veterinary doctors and medicines to treat livestock affected by disease in Punjab, but the neighbouring government had not permitted the assistance.
"This was not a political issue but a matter of humanity," Saini said, alleging that farmers have been left struggling to protect their livestock while the state government played politics.
He also questioned the utilisation of disaster relief funds in Punjab, referring to financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore from the union Government.
The Chief Minister further targeted Punjab's crop procurement arrangements, claiming farmers continued to face difficulties selling their produce despite assurances from AAP leaders.
He said farmers from Punjab had personally approached him with complaints about procurement delays and other difficulties.
Drawing a comparison, Saini claimed Haryana had established a system to ensure crop procurement payments reached farmers' bank accounts within 48 to 72 hours, with interest payable if payments were delayed beyond the stipulated period.
Turning his attack on the Congress, Saini challenged Rahul Gandhi to debate the BJP Yuva Morcha president in Haryana, offering to arrange the venue himself.
"It cannot be a one-sided affair where someone makes false claims and then walks away," he said.
Saini accused Gandhi and the Congress of raising allegations of electoral manipulation without pursuing the remedies available before the Election Commission and the courts.
"If the Congress has any grievances regarding the electoral process, it should present its case before the Chief Election Commissioner," he said.
"There has been no vote theft. What the Congress is facing today is the consequence of its own actions," Saini added.
The Chief Minister alleged that the Congress was attempting to undermine confidence in the Election Commission after suffering electoral setbacks.
The Congress has questioned the credibility of electoral-roll revision and alleged wrongful deletion of voters, while the Election Commission maintains that the exercise is intended to ensure accurate voter lists.
Saini also accused the previous Congress government in Haryana of concentrating development funds in politically influential regions and failing to deliver equitable development across the state.
He said the Congress and its allies were relying on allegations against the BJP instead of explaining their governance record.
The remarks come as the BJP intensifies its criticism of both the Congress and the AAP ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
UNI KK/NB ATP MCR
Tags: #Saini targets Mann over delayed payments to Punjab women# farmers; dares Rahul Gandhi to public debate
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