Health Minister alleges BJP using central agencies to pressure state government

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Patiala, May 12

Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Monday accused the BJP led Center of misusing central agencies to target the Punjab government, following the recent CBI action linked to the state Vigilance Department.

Addressing the media in Patiala, the minister alleged that the BJP had launched a “surgical strike” in Punjab through investigative agencies in an attempt to politically pressure the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government.

Dr. Balbir Singh claimed that the Center had earlier used the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to create pressure on political leaders and later arrested a Punjab minister through agency action. He alleged that the latest developments involving the Vigilance Department were part of a continued campaign against the Punjab government.

“The BJP has no answer to the development works being carried out by the Punjab government, so it is resorting to such actions only to create pressure,” the minister said.

Targeting the Center further, he alleged that there was a conspiracy to push Punjab’s youth towards drug abuse. He asserted that the people of Punjab would give a befitting reply to such attempts in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Commenting on the upcoming municipal council elections, Dr. Balbir Singh said opposition parties often describe local body polls as a “semi-final,” but maintained that people have repeatedly expressed faith in the AAP government because of its focus on development.

The Health Minister was speaking after inaugurating road renovation and infrastructure development works worth around Rs 9 crore in Patiala’s Urban Estate area.