The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of politically motivated actions after its Republic Day tableau entry was allegedly rejected. AAP’s national spokesperson, Priyanka Kakkar, criticised the decision, claiming that the move was an attempt to suppress Delhi’s achievements in education and healthcare.

According to Kakkar, Delhi sought to showcase its progress in education and health facilities, emphasising Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s governance model. She highlighted key aspects of the model, including the lowest inflation rate in the country, the highest per capita income, 200 units of free electricity, cost-effective flyovers, extensive EV charging infrastructure, and a fleet of 1,300 disabled-friendly e-buses. Kakkar said that the opportunity to exhibit these transformations on the Republic Day tableau stage was denied.

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Expressing dissatisfaction, Kakkar alleged bias in the selection process, claiming that predominantly BJP-ruled states were favoured and both Delhi and Punjab were excluded, similar to the previous occasion. She remarked, “I wish PM Modi’s heart was as big as that of the people of Delhi.”

Furthermore, Kakkar pointed out that Niti Aayog had previously acknowledged Delhi’s government schools as among the top 10 in the country, commending the significant improvements in the education system.

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On Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticised the Centre for excluding Punjab’s tableau from the Republic Day parade. Accusing the central government of discrimination, Mann asserted that the move was disrespectful to the sacrifices made by Punjabis in the national freedom struggle. He expressed disappointment over what he termed as the Centre’s “indifferent treatment” towards Punjab and its attempts to “humiliate” the state.

Addressing reporters at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh, Mann said, “The power-mad Centre is demeaning and humiliating the enormous sacrifices made by Punjabis in the national freedom struggle. It is unfortunate that on one hand devotees from across the globe are paying obeisance at Fatehgarh Sahib to pay homage to Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh along with Mata Gujri, the BJP government was playing dirty tactics to humiliate Punjab. This indifferent treatment is unacceptable and unwarranted.”

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