Ahead of 2027 elections In BJP’s political debut at Maghi mela, Saini pitches ‘Haryana model’ for Punjab

“Punjab is not just our neighbouring state, it shares a blood relationship with Haryana,” Saini said, adding, “Haryana loves Punjab and wants to see it flourish.”

Referring to the 2025 floods in Punjab, Saini said he had appealed to Haryana residents to help their “vadda bhara” (elder brother), and that people from every district had generously contributed and even personally reached out to help masses in Punjab villages.” In a pointed political remark, he added that while Punjab was battling floods, CM Bhagwant Mann was hospitalised.

“Chhote bhara nu vadde bhara di bhot chinta hai (the younger brother is deeply concerned about the elder brother),” Saini said, asserting that the “double-engine” BJP model that delivered on promises in Haryana could do the same in Punjab if the BJP comes to power in 2027.

Saini pitched Haryana’s welfare and agriculture policies, claiming his government provides MSP on 24 crops, compared to what he termed Punjab government’s failure to deliver even on its promise of MSP “in five minutes”. He said,” Haryana offers the highest sugarcane prices, has effectively implemented Ayushman Bharat along with the state-led Chirayu Yojana, and has compensated farmers to the tune of ₹15,000 crore under PM Fasal Bima Yojana over the past 11 years. Ask Punjab CM, why he is not allowing Punjab farmers to take benefit of fasal bima yozna.”

He also cited schemes like Lado Lakshmi Yojana, land allotment to the urban poor, grants for kuccha houses and many other schemes while alleging that the Punjab government opposed VB-G-RAM-G due to corruption in over 50 per cent of panchayats under MGNREGA.

Union MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu, who shared the stage, remarked, “Haryana people might get upset seeing Saini’s frequent visits to Punjab, but Haryana understands Punjab “needs healing”. Moreover, Haryana is our younger brother and the younger brothers never get upset with the elder brother.”

Former union minister Anurag Thakur introduced the term “K-company”, saying Punjab needs to free itself from this company apart from crime and drugs. BJP Punjab president Sunil Jakhar clarified that his reference was to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, drawing applause from the audience.

Bittu said the presence of leaders from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh reflected the spirit of “Sanjha Punjab” (undivided Punjab), though Jakhar asserted that Punjab remains the “big brother” among them.

However in his address, Jakhar condemned the statement of Congress State In-charge Bhupesh Baghel, in which as per the recent media reports, he termed the appointment of Charanjit Singh Channi as CM in 2021 a “mistake.”

Jakhar said, “If the Congress considers the appointment of a person from the Scheduled Caste community as Chief Minister a mistake, then the BJP strongly opposes this view, because Punjab does not accept divisions on the basis of religion or caste.

Earlier the Congress spoke about Punjab not having a Hindu Chief Minister, and now this statement regarding an SC Chief Minister reflects the Congress party’s communal mindset.”