Haryana CM accuses AAP government in Punjab of indulging in ‘election-time freebie politics’

A day after Punjab announed ₹1,000 monthly stipend for women, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday (March 9, 2026) accused the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab of indulging in “election-time freebie politics,” asserting that people in the State are disillusioned with the government and have made up their minds to bring about a change in power in the next Assembly elections.

“The people in Punjab are increasingly disillusioned with the policies of the ruling AAP government and are now looking for an alternative ahead of the next polls,” he said at a press conference.

Responding to the Punjab government’s budget announcement of providing ₹1,500 to women from the SC category and ₹1,000 to other women, Mr. Saini said the AAP government is making these announcements with the upcoming Assembly elections in mind. However, he asserted that these announcements would not benefit the party politically as the people of Punjab had already decided to bring about a change in government.

Mr. Saini said that whether it was the earlier Congress governments or the present AAP regime, both had a history of making populist promises and distributing “freebies” during elections.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, during the ongoing budget session, said the frustration shown by opposition parties over the announcement of ₹1,000 per month for women clearly reflects their fear of the AAP returning to power in Punjab in 2027.

Concluding the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, Mr. Mann said that while parties such as the Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP and Congress repeatedly betrayed the public by ignoring their election promises, the AAP government has treated its manifesto as a sacred commitment and fulfilled every guarantee for the common people within just four years.