Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), BJP, and Congress. He accused them of betraying Punjab’s people for political gain and said the state had decisively rejected the “politics of loot, privilege, and deception” by electing the AAP government in 2022.
Addressing a Lok Milni programme at Badwa village in Ropar district, Mann said opposition parties had no agenda for Punjab’s development and were focused only on regaining power to serve vested interests.
Referring to renewed efforts to revive the SAD-BJP alliance, the Chief Minister called it an opportunistic arrangement aimed only at capturing power. He said Punjab’s people would not be fooled by what he termed “political theatrics”.
“BJP imposed anti-farmer laws against which more than 700 farmers died during the nationwide agitation. The Akalis misused religion for political interests, while Congress failed Punjab repeatedly. Today, these parties are again trying to mislead people for electoral gains,” Mann said.
The CM said the 2022 Assembly election was a turning point in Punjab’s political history, with voters rejecting seven former chief ministers and their families in favour of what he called an honest and transparent government.
Highlighting his administration’s work, Mann said every rupee from the state exchequer was being used for public welfare, not for the comfort and luxury of those in power. He claimed that, unlike previous governments, his administration was accessible to ordinary citizens and framed policies after direct interaction with people.
“Those who stayed confined to palatial residences cannot understand that Punjab now has a government that works among the people. I may not know the politics of looting public wealth, but I know how to share the pain of common people and resolve their issues,” he said.
Listing AAP government achievements, Mann said Punjab was utilising 96 per cent of its available canal water through an improved irrigation system. He added that around 14,000 km of pipelines and watercourses have been laid, enabling release of nearly 21,000 cusecs of water for agriculture.
The CM also highlighted welfare initiatives: nearly 1,000 Aam Aadmi Clinics offering free medicines and diagnostic tests, free electricity for over 90 per cent of households, daytime power supply for farmers, and Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna providing cashless treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh per family.
On women’s welfare, Mann said Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna provides monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to eligible women and Rs 1,500 to women from Scheduled Caste families.
On education, he said government school teachers and principals are being sent abroad for specialised training. He claimed Punjab topped the National Achievement Survey conducted by the Union Government.
The CM also referred to the recently enacted the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, 2026. He said the law prescribes stringent punishment, including imprisonment from 10 years to life and a fine of Rs 50 lakh, for those guilty of sacrilege. He expressed hope the law would deter incidents of beadbi.
Mann reiterated that his government’s sole focus was the welfare and prosperity of Punjab’s people, while accusing opposition parties of being unable to accept the state’s progress under the AAP government.
