Dhillon questions integrity of AAP’s 40 candidates

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Saturday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over its first list of 40 candidates, accusing the ruling party of fielding leaders facing allegations of corruption and other controversies.

Calling the list one of “40 people responsible for Punjab’s destruction”, Dhillon said the candidates should have been chosen for their integrity and commitment to public service rather than being surrounded by allegations.

He also questioned the AAP government’s publicity campaign featuring the slogan ‘Honest Chief Minister’. He said the hoardings should instead carry the message ‘Dishonest Chief Minister’, alleging that several candidates were facing accusations of corruption, fraud, money laundering and other offences.

Dhillon said people in Punjab would not accept AAP again, alleging that the party had failed to fulfil its promises and deliver good governance. He claimed that leaders and MLAs who had come to Punjab after facing defeat in Delhi had exploited the state over the past five years.

The BJP leader accused the government of failing on multiple fronts and said those being renominated had been in power for nearly five years and should be held accountable for the state’s condition.

On law and order, Dhillon alleged that murders, extortion and firing incidents had become common in Punjab. He also accused the government of failing to control drug abuse, claiming that young people continued to fall victim to the menace.

He further claimed that public dissatisfaction with the government was growing and that AAP MLAs were facing resistance in villages. Dhillon warned that party leaders could face protests and difficulty entering villages once the Model Code of Conduct comes into force.