SAD Targets AAP Over Alleged Exam Paper Leaks, Promises Job Quotas for Punjabis

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of failing the state's youth through repeated examination paper leaks and promising extensive employment and education reforms if his party returns to power.

Addressing a protest organised by the Students' Organisation of India (SOI), the student wing of the SAD, against the alleged examination paper leaks, Badal claimed the government had jeopardised the future of thousands of aspirants by failing to ensure fair recruitment examinations.

Drawing comparisons with countries such as the United States and China, Badal said nations that invest in and protect their youth emerge as global leaders. He alleged that Punjab's students were being forced to protest on the streets while the government remained indifferent to issues concerning education and employment.

Claiming that students spend significant amounts on coaching and exam preparation, Badal alleged that around 10 recruitment examination papers had been leaked during the AAP government's tenure. He criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for allegedly remaining silent on the issue.

Making a series of electoral promises, the SAD chief said that if voted to power, his party would enact legislation reserving 100 per cent of government jobs for Punjabis and ensure 70 per cent reservation for Punjab's youth in private industries. He also pledged to establish medical and veterinary colleges in every district and introduce large-scale vocational education programmes to enhance employability.

Stepping up his criticism, Badal dismissed the AAP government's claims of an "education revolution", alleging severe shortages of principals in senior secondary schools and faculty vacancies in government colleges. He further accused AAP of being directed by leaders outside Punjab and claimed the state's interests had been sidelined.

The opposition has intensified its criticism of the AAP government following the recent detection of an alleged cheating racket in the pharmacy officer recruitment examination. However, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has maintained that no examination paper leak has occurred during his government's more than four years in office.