CHANDIGARH, November 9: AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Sunday accused the BJP of repeatedly targeting Punjab’s farmers to divert attention from its failure to tackle Delhi’s pollution problem.
During a media interaction, Pannu said BJP leaders had started blaming Punjab for Delhi’s pollution even before the paddy harvesting season began. He said Punjab had achieved nearly 90 per cent control over stubble burning this year, while an 80 per cent reduction was recorded last year.
Referring to BJP leader Kapil Mishra’s claim that 1,200 people had burnt stubble overnight, Pannu termed the statement baseless and asked him to seek clarification from his own party leaders.
He said the Centre’s reply recorded in the official proceedings of Parliament also supported Punjab’s claims regarding the reduction in stubble-burning incidents.
Pannu alleged that BJP leaders were making such statements to cover up the pollution crisis in Delhi, particularly the deteriorating air quality during Diwali.
He also questioned the BJP over the deaths of nearly 750 farmers during the protest against the three farm laws, accusing the party of continuing to disregard the concerns of the farming community.
Pannu urged BJP leaders to stop making allegations against Punjab’s farmers and focus on addressing their own administrative shortcomings.
