CHANDIGARH – In a blistering attack, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has charged the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab with blatantly misusing public funds to organize a high-profile rally in Moga. The accusation, leveled on Monday, points to the AAP’s ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign being twisted into a political spectacle ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
SAD senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema, in a strongly worded statement, demanded immediate intervention from Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and the Election Commission of India (ECI). He alleged that the rally, presided over by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi party leaders—who hold no official position in Punjab—was funded entirely by taxpayer money.
“This is nothing but deceptive politics,” Cheema thundered. “Government resources were deployed not just to transport crowds to the venue but to cover every expense of the event. Purely political speeches were delivered, with baseless attacks on opponents, all under the guise of an anti-drug initiative.”
Cheema highlighted the shameful politicization of a supposed public welfare program. He urged authorities to recover every penny spent, insisting the event violated all norms and cannot be passed off as a government function.
The SAD leader didn’t stop there. He condemned the pressure tactics allegedly used to force top bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, to participate in what was essentially a political gathering. “This will politicize the state’s bureaucracy,” he warned, painting a grim picture of future electoral integrity.
“Tomorrow, district-level officers will be coerced into addressing AAP rallies and becoming party mouthpieces,” Cheema predicted. “How can we expect free and fair elections in such a scenario? This assault on democratic institutions must end now.”
The controversy erupts at a sensitive time for Punjab politics, with AAP facing mounting criticism over governance lapses. SAD’s move signals intensifying opposition ahead of crucial polls, as traditional players seek to reclaim ground lost in recent years. Both the Governor’s office and ECI have yet to respond, but the issue is poised to dominate headlines.