Chandigarh, Sept 8 — The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce a Rs 20,000 crore relief package for the flood-ravaged state during his visit on Tuesday. Party leaders said the demand reflects the scale of devastation and the urgent need for central support.
Punjab AAP chief Aman Arora said the people of the state expect concrete assistance when the Prime Minister arrives. “The state government and the people of Punjab will welcome the Prime Minister with all humility and folded hands — but they expect him to announce immediate relief for the flood-hit state,” Arora said at a press conference.
Arora also reminded the Centre of Punjab’s pending dues. “We are reiterating the state government’s demand for the release of Rs 60,000 crore in pending dues,” he noted. “If you can send relief to Taliban in Afghanistan, why not to Punjab?”
According to AAP’s estimates, the floods have destroyed standing crops over 4.3 lakh acres, caused the loss of 3.6 lakh livestock and left hundreds of houses either collapsed or severely damaged. Arora warned that the silt and sand deposits in farmlands would prevent many farmers from preparing for the next crop season. “In the coming days, as floodwaters recede, there is danger of outbreak of diseases in both humans and animals. I sincerely hope the PM understands the pain of Punjabis and provides them relief,” he added.
The AAP leader also criticised Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s recent visit to Punjab, describing it as “disaster tourism.” “He posed for pictures, wading in knee-deep water, but strangely not a single dime of relief was announced for the state,” Arora said. He pointed out that inter-ministerial central teams had already surveyed the destruction firsthand.
Arora accused BJP leaders in Punjab of failing to convey the extent of damage to the central leadership. “In the past 25 days, BJP state leaders have issued lame statements but have not represented the scale of destruction in Punjab before their party’s leadership,” he remarked.
Concluding his appeal, Arora said the Prime Minister must ensure Punjabis do not feel neglected after his visit. “I once again appeal to the PM to show benevolence towards Punjab, so that after you go, Punjabis should not feel alienated by you and talk of your benevolence for corporate houses, but doing nothing for Punjab,” he said.
