Ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini is actively engaging in Punjab wearing a saffron turban and addressing gatherings in a mix of Punjabi and Hindi. He is now drawing more attention in Punjab than union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. His address at the recent Maghi mela is creating a political buzz as he was the main speaker from the BJP. Saini makes sure to wear a saffron turban as part of the BJP’s strategic political and cultural engagement. His visits appear carefully crafted as so far, he has visited many gurdwaras and temples. The BJP appears to be using Saini to make a political foray into the state.
Badal and Warring engage in war of words
Former Finance Minister and BJP leader Manpreet Singh Badal and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had swords drawn recently. While Badal took a dig at Warring at a rally in Muktsar recently, where he reminded the latter of a mathematical goof-up in the party’s MGNREGA Bachao Sangram rally in Samarala, Warring hit back during a media briefing in Ludhiana, raising the issue of a dining table. Warring added that his educational qualifications might not match that of Badal, but he never took away a dining table from a government residence while vacating it, referring to Badal.
Row over HP minister’s remark on officers
Himachal PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh’s remarks targeting bureaucrats from UP and Bihar sparked protests and social media debate, with some ministers like Anirudh Singh and Jagat Negi also joining the issue. This has exposed a deep factionalism within the state cabinet. Civil service associations have condemned the remarks. In a statement, the IPS Association (HP) highlighted the potential harm of Singh’s remarks, saying such statements have the potential to damage the morale of the police service. Himachal IAS Officers’ Association echoed similar concerns, saying that while it fully respects the prerogative of elected representatives to hold opinion.
Harpreet Bajwa
Our correspondent in Chandigarh
hsbajwa73@gmail.com