Tarun Chugh, BJP national general secretary, attributes the recent floods in Punjab to illegal sand mining by the AAP government, labeling the situation a “Mann-made disaster.”
Chandigarh: Tarun Chugh, the national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has launched a scathing critique of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Chugh asserts that the devastating floods currently affecting large portions of the state are not merely a natural disaster but rather a consequence of what he terms a “Mann-made disaster.”
In his statements, Chugh accused the Mann administration of permitting illegal sand mining, which he claims has compromised the structural integrity of river embankments, thereby making villages more susceptible to flooding. “The reason Punjab is being led towards disaster is the free hand given for illegal mining. People of Punjab are paying the price for Bhagwant Mann’s incompetence, failure, and inexperience,” he stated.
Chugh further criticized the state government for allegedly politicizing relief efforts. He contended that the AAP government was making announcements regarding compensation packages without conducting a thorough assessment of the damage caused by the floods. He highlighted that the central government had already allocated over Rs 11,000 crore for disaster management in Punjab.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself spoken to Bhagwant Mann. Home Minister Amit Shah has also assured every possible help. Yet the Punjab government has neither formed special teams nor undertaken a proper survey of losses,” Chugh noted. He emphasized that instead of taking decisive action on the ground, the AAP government appeared more focused on shifting blame and engaging in theatrics.
Chugh’s remarks come in the wake of growing frustration among residents in flood-affected areas, who have alleged that illegal mining activities and inadequate maintenance of embankments have exacerbated the damage. Opposition parties have accused the Mann government of being unprepared and slow to respond to the ongoing crisis.
According to Chugh, while the central government is prioritizing assistance, the state leadership has failed to act with the necessary responsibility. “Punjab needs a government that is serious about the plight of its people. Unfortunately, what we are witnessing today is negligence and immaturity,” he concluded.
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