Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the flood-affected areas of Punjab, branding it a calculated political gesture rather than a genuine humanitarian effort.
Speaking in Chandigarh on Wednesday, Cheema highlighted the stark contrast between the swift aid extended to Afghanistan and the delayed, limited support to Punjab.
“While the Prime Minister offered sympathy and aid to Afghanistan within hours, it took him 30 days to remember the people of Punjab who have made immense sacrifices for our country,” said Cheema, emphasising the lack of timely central assistance valued at ₹1,600 crore.
Cheema expressed deep disappointment in the Prime Minister’s conduct during his visit, accusing him of failing to console grieving families, meet evacuating farmers, or assist displaced labourers.
He said, “He did not wipe the tears of mothers whose sons were killed; he only came to bake his own political bread.”
Tensions escalated further when PM Modi reportedly responded to Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian’s appeal for a ₹20,000 crore relief package with ‘aapko Hindi samajh nahin aati’ (you do not understand Hindi).
Cheema condemned this as a deliberate insult to the Punjabi people and language.
He accused the Prime Minister of overt disdain towards Punjab, stating that belittling a Cabinet minister of an elected government on linguistic grounds not only showed arrogance but also betrayed federal dignity.
Cheema also took issue with the PM’s choice of companions during the visit, noting that he seemed to favour meetings with party affiliates rather than genuine flood-affected citizens.
He shared photos and portrayed BJP representatives as relief beneficiaries, accusing the party of staging the visuals to mislead the public.
“If he only wanted to meet his party workers,” said Cheema, “he could have invited them to Delhi for a tea party instead of visiting Punjab and putting on this dramatic show.”
Cheema’s remarks underscore growing political tensions over the central government’s handling of the flood crisis in Punjab.
As state authorities and the central administration gear up for rebuilding efforts, questions remain over whether future actions will prioritise relief over optics—and genuine support over political theatre.
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