Hoshiarpur, Sep 26 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday ruled out stitching an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal for next year’s Punjab elections, saying the BJP’s alliance is with the people and it would form the next government in the state with their support.
Talking to reporters at Tanda in Hoshiarpur district, Saini, who was in the state as part of the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, alleged that successive governments failed to check the drug menace, which increased further under the AAP government.
The BJP’s campaign is aimed at encouraging the youth to stay away from drugs, he said, appealing to people to join the efforts to make Punjab drug-free.
“Before coming to power, the AAP promised to eradicate drugs from Punjab within three to six months, provide employment to youth, and ensure minimum support price (MSP) for crops, none of which it fulfilled.
“The drug problem has only increased under AAP. The availability of drugs is also contributing to an increase in crime incidents,” Saini claimed.
He said maintaining law and order and preventing crime are among the key responsibilities of any government, but the AAP has “failed” on this front.
On the possibility of a BJP-SAD alliance, Saini said, “There is no alliance. Our alliance is with the people of Punjab.”
He said the BJP would seek people’s mandate based on the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earlier, Saini paid obeisance at Gurdwara Nanak Darbar near Kotli Jand on the occasion of the 532nd Prakash Purab of Baba Shri Chand Ji Maharaj, the elder son of Guru Nanak Dev.
Saini said the occasion reflected Punjab’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage and emphasised the common values of different faiths, including love, humility, compassion, equality and service to humanity.
He urged the youth to draw inspiration from the teachings of Baba Shri Chand Ji Maharaj and Guru Nanak Dev Ji and channel their energy towards education, sports, employment, entrepreneurship and social service.
Saini also called for collective efforts to strengthen social harmony. PTI COR CHS ARI
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