Through corruption in MGNREGA, AAP leaders have robbed poor of their rightful livelihood: BJP

BJP state working president Ashwani Sharma Wednesday said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has over the past nearly four years failed to provide the statutory 100 days of employment under MGNREGA to lakhs of people from weaker and deprived sections, workers, and Dalit families. By doing so, he has not only taken away the guarantee of employment but has also snatched bread from the plates of the poor, hurting their dignity and self-respect.

“During the Assembly session, the Speaker allotted limited time, and whatever time is given is repeatedly disrupted by members of the ruling party. For this reason, on December 29, I held a press conference and presented facts to the public regarding serious issues related to MGNREGA. As expected, the Chief Minister did not respond to these questions. Had he had answers, he would have given them — because responding would have exposed to the entire Punjab that the AAP government has taken away the employment guarantee of the poor under MGNREGA,” said Sharma, accompanied by state vice-president Subhash Sharma, state media head Vineet Joshi at a press conference in Chandigarh.

Ashwani Sharma again questioned the CM: When the (Narendra) Modi government sends funds for 100 days of employment for every worker in Punjab, why does the state government not provide full 100 days of employment to workers?”

He asked why mandatory social audits under MGNREGA were not conducted in 6,095 gram panchayats in 2024–25 and in 7,389 gram panchayats in 2025–26. He also questioned why no action has been taken so far in 10,653 corruption cases detected by the Special Audit Unit, and why the guilty are being protected.

Ashwani Sharma stated that MGNREGA workers and their organisations have accused AAP MLAs, MPs, and local leaders of involvement in corruption. Despite this, no action has been taken.