In an apparent jibe at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said that politics of freebies will not work in a state like Punjab, which is reeling under huge debt.
“There are some leaders who have made ulti policies…. There is a leader who has made a sit-down policy — who says you sit at home, there is no need to work and I will give you this free, that free,” Khattar said. “Ye free baant ke chala nahi payenge [they won’t be able to govern by offering freebies]. This is a disease being spread…
Delhi was a different matter, their situation is already worsening in Punjab; Punjab is under heavy debt.”
Without naming any leader, Khattar said: “This person first announces freebies, and the next day goes to the Prime Minister with a bowl to ask for funds to run Punjab. This double-game will not work. This deceit — you first promise freebies and then go to PM — if you have the courage, give things for free; if not, why brag?”
Khattar was speaking in Gurgaon, where BJP president J P Nadda inaugurated the party’s new office, spread over 1 lakh square feet area and located near Signature Tower on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway.
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, and Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh were present.