Punjab Finance Minister and senior AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday lashed out at former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s visit to Khanna grain market, calling it a “political stunt”. Cheema criticized Capt Amarinder, accusing him of “pretending to be pro-farmers” to regain public favour, despite his longstanding association with the BJP, which he claimed is the root cause of Punjab’s procurement woes.

Cheema questioned why Capt Amarinder, who frequently meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has never raised concerns about Punjab’s farmers and commission agents. He alleged that Capt Amarinder’s past silence on these issues contradicts his current stance. “If Capt Amarinder truly cared for Punjab’s farmers, he would have spoken up long ago. Now, with his political career at a standstill, he is merely shedding crocodile tears,” Cheema stated.

Cheema said that the Central Government’s delays in lifting rice from warehouses and failure to address millers’ and arhtiyas’ concerns have directly caused the distress faced by Punjab’s agricultural community. He argued that Capt Amarinder’s loyalty to BJP interests has compromised Punjab’s welfare, pointing to withheld funds for rural development and health initiatives.

He also reminded that when the Modi Government introduced the controversial farm laws, Capt Amarinder supported them. “At that time, AAP was vocal in opposition. Now, after joining the BJP, he’s trying to rewrite history,” Cheema added, asserting that the former CM’s renewed “concern” for farmers is little more than a bid to stay relevant.