Punjab CM receives backlash for visiting Delhi schools; "Tour own schools first"

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited Delhi schools on Monday and received criticism from opposition parties. Both the Congress and the Akali Dal alleged that it is a "political drama" and "photo op".

Many criticised Mann for not visiting Punjab's schools yet and asked to solve issues that are prompting farmers to resort to suicide in his state.

Bhagwant Mann is set to visit schools and hospitals in the capital city to learn the "Delhi model" so that he can replicate the same in Punjab. During the visit, he said that the schools in Delhi show "next level education". "Something that cannot be thought of by big schools has been implemented by government schools". He commented on digital education and collaboration with big companies, reported NDTV.

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted his criticism and said the Delhi visit is a deviation from real issues. "It is a photo op for the benefit in other elections and waste of state exchequer." He added that what Punjab needs is a policy to get out of the financial and power crisis faced by farmers. "Local problems need local solutions, and it lies in income generation."

Another Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja questioned how many of the farmer families did Bhagwant Mann meet. He was referring to the 14 farmer suicides that took place last month. Mr Singh mocked the visit saying Mann do not bring Delhi's failed Corona fighting model to Punjab.

The Akali Dal's Daljit Singh Cheema also posted his criticism on Twitter. He said that the Punjab CM should have toured the schools in his state first to understand their strengths and weaknesses. "Today's political drama may help sell this pseudo model in poll-bound states but won't be of much help to the state."

Mr Mann told NDTV that he was surprised to find out that many students in Delhi's government schools left big private schools. He noted that the AAP had promised to improve the condition of schools and hospitals in Punjab on the lines of its work in Delhi. A statement from his office said that AAP founder Kejriwal will explain Delhi's transformation to Punjab CM.