Punjab Finance Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party leader (AAP) Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party has launched an undemocratic assault on Punjab and its people, declaring it a direct attack on the Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution and the democratic rights of citizens. He asserted that Punjabis, who have historically sacrificed for the country’s freedom and democracy, will not tolerate this betrayal and will give a strong response.
In a statement, senior AAP leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The BJP has attacked Punjabis in an undemocratic manner. The right to vote given under the Constitution by Babasaheb Ambedkar is being snatched away. This is a direct attack on Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution, and 3 crore Punjabis will not tolerate it. Punjab has always played a leading role in shaping democracy in this country. The democracy of this nation has been built on the blood and sacrifices of Punjabis. By shedding their blood, Punjabis helped establish this democracy, and today the BJP is trying to break it.”
The Punjab Minister asserted, “Today, 3 crore Punjabis are ready to teach the BJP a lesson. The BJP is the party that is held responsible for the deaths of 700 farmers of Punjab during the agitation against the three black laws. It is known as the party that has looted Punjab’s waters and denied Punjab its rightful financial share. Such a party will be decisively opposed by all Punjabis united.”
Condemning the defection of 7 AAP MPs, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Those whom AAP honoured and sent to the Rajya Sabha to represent the voice of Punjabis have today betrayed Punjab by falling under the influence of Home Minister Amit Shah. This defection, driven by the lure of power, is not just political, it is a betrayal of Punjab’s rights. The BJP has never truly stood by anyone, and opportunists are never forgiven by Punjabis.”
Harpal Singh Cheema further stated, “The BJP has stabbed the people of Punjab in the back. By breaking AAP MPs from Punjab, it has proven that it does not believe in democracy. It is attempting to dismantle the Constitution created by Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar. The BJP is a threat to the democracy of this country, whereas the AAP stands firmly with the Constitution. We will continue to fight to protect and uphold the Constitution and will keep teaching the BJP a lesson.”
Highlighting Punjab’s history of resistance, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Punjab and Punjabis have repeatedly defeated those who tried to dominate them. Those who attempted to capture Punjab have always been taught a lesson. Today, the BJP cannot win Punjab by intimidating or threatening people. The 3 crore Punjabis are aware of the work being done by the AAP Government led by Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann.”
Harpal Singh Cheema added, “For a long time, when the BJP and Akali Dal were in power in Punjab, incidents of beadbi (sacrilege) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place and no justice was delivered. When we brought the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026’, the BJP started breaking our members because it does not want respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.”
He pointed out, “This is part of their strategy as they know AAP is set to win in 2027. But we are determined and resolute. We will continue to take forward the work of the Aam Aadmi Party and will form the government again in 2027, while ensuring that the BJP faces complete rejection in Punjab.”
Reaffirming AAP’s resolve, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “We stand like a rock with Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP. Send ED, CBI, or any agency, send us to any jail, we will not be afraid. We will protect Punjab’s rights and uphold the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar. We are guided by his ideology and by the ideals of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. We will not break, we will not bow. We may die, but we will not kneel. What has happened today exposes cowardice and has brought disrepute to the democracy of this country.”