Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for rail and road infrastructure projects worth more than ₹5,470 crore in Punjab, marking one of the biggest infrastructural push for the state in recent years. The projects are aimed at improving regional connectivity, easing passenger travel, strengthening logistics and supporting long-term economic growth. PM Modi walked to the stage in a green Turban and started his speech in Punjabi. The Prime Minister's address combined political criticism with development announcements, as he highlighted major infrastructure projects while taking aim at the state's law and order situation, governance and opposition parties.
Attacks on other parties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a sharp political attack on Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing it of corruption, poor governance and failing to utilise Central funds effectively. Modi also targeted the Congress over its internal leadership tussle and said the BJP was the only party capable of accelerating Punjab's development
10 major Takeaways from the event
1.Calls AAP a 'Kattar Beimaan Party'
PM Modi described the AAP government as a "Kattar Beimaan Party" (habitually dishonest party), alleging that Punjab was being misgoverned and that funds provided by the Centre were being misused instead of being spent on development. He mentioned that in last 12 years, Punjab has received lakhs of crores but they were not utilised efficiently.
He further mentioned, Punjab’s budget has been extensively used in paying interest on debt and not on development.
2. Says Punjab's Development Has Stalled
The Prime Minister claimed development in Punjab had slowed under the current government and alleged that several Central schemes were being renamed instead of implemented effectively. He mentioned some of the major central government schemes like Ayushman Aarogya Yojna and 5,00,000 worth free medical treatment. He urged voters to support a BJP "double-engine government," citing Delhi and Haryana as examples of faster development.
He stated that AAP collected all the votes in Punjab through faker promises and failed to deliver what was promised. HE further added that the party stayed silent for 50 months and till now the women would have received 50,000 in their accounts.
3. Takes Swipe at Congress Infighting
Without naming individual leaders, Modi said the Congress was occupied with internal power struggles instead of addressing public issues. He mentioned, that congress does not care about the development of the state but are more concerned about the power of the seat. He also criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal, alleging that it was focused on its own political interests.
4. Levels Corruption Allegations Against AAP
The Prime Minister alleged that several AAP ministers and MLAs had faced corruption, bribery and money laundering cases, claiming that corruption had become synonymous with the party. Without disclosing details, he took a dig at various members of the party involved in illegal crimes
He mentioned a party leader was found guilty in New Delhi for forced protests and involvement in the case of murder of an IB officer. Another example was given of an MLA who has been announced jail for 7 years. He openly said that extortion, robbery and attacks have become the trademark of politics for the state government. He also mentioned that some of the leaders are out on bails while others were prominently found in money laundering cases.
5. Raises Law and Order Concerns
Modi alleged that Punjab was witnessing increasing gang violence, extortion, drug trafficking and attacks on police establishments. He said the deteriorating security situation was affecting businesses, investment and the future of the state's youth. To give instance he mentioned the recent attack on police station and increased cases of gangwar and extortion.
He said it is really difficult for businessman to run business in Punjab and expressed concerns over the youth. He added the drug addiction in Youth of Punjab and the wide drug dealing in the state.
6. Launches Major Infrastructure Projects
During his visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Daulatpur Chowk–Kartoli railway line, flagged off the Amritsar–Kashi train, laid the foundation stone of the Ludhiana Bypass, and inaugurated another section of the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway. He also laid foundation of the Amritsar—Kashi rail for Sri Guru Ravidas devotees and to give them ease in visiting the pilgrimage.
7. Highlights Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
PM Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and said more than 1,300 railway stations across India were being modernised. He noted that 75 redeveloped stations were inaugurated simultaneously across the country. He also mentioned the first Indian hydrogen train inaugurated in Jind, Haryana earlier that day.
Highlighting the redeveloped stations, he mentioned the stations of Anandpur Sahib, Muktsar and Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS), Mohali
8. Pays Tribute to Punjab's Icons
The Prime Minister said the Centre had honoured Punjab's cultural and national icons by naming Adampur Airport after Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj and Chandigarh International Airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh. In addition to this, he also announced the development of a Sikh museum in Kurukshetra to promote cultural tradition, teachings, sacrifices. He called the museum a source of motivation for the coming generations.
9. Reaffirms Centre's Commitment to Punjab
Modi said the Union government remained committed to Punjab's development despite the BJP not being in power in the state, adding that investments in infrastructure and connectivity would continue.
10. Praises 'Swachhata Se Swagat' Campaign
The Prime Minister lauded residents of Jalandhar for participating in the 'Swachhata Se Swagat' cleanliness initiative, saying it reflected the teachings of Guru Ravidas Ji and promoted civic responsibility and social harmony. He said Punjab is the land of Sher-E-Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and works on his ideologies of unity.
Political Message Ahead of Punjab Polls
The speech is being seen as one of the BJP's strongest political offensives in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Alongside announcing major infrastructure projects, PM Modi sought to position the BJP as a development-focused alternative while launching a multi-pronged attack on the AAP government, Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal.
