Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday sharpened his attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), stating that leaders who were caught stealing electricity at a public rally have not abandoned their habit of looting Punjab, and warned that even out of power they continue such acts, raising serious concerns about the damage they would inflict if they returned to government. Calling them habitual offenders who earlier looted sand and buses and are now resorting to power theft, he said such conduct reflects their entrenched mindset of exploiting public resources.
Building on this, the Chief Minister on Monday called upon people to socially boycott leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), asserting that those responsible for beadbi (sacrilege) and atrocities against the people must be held accountable.
Addressing a gathering in Patiala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These people bruised the psyche of every common man by allowing the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji during their regime. These traitors can never be forgiven as they are responsible for desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and their hands were drenched with the blood of innocent masses.”
He added, “Support to Akali Dal means consent to bring back an era of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, firing on innocent protestors, and atrocities on the common man.”
Calling for firm public action, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those who have ruined the generations of the state and were responsible for sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji deserve no leniency and must be taught a lesson. Social boycott of these leaders is the need of the hour so that they are not able to cause any further loss to the state and its people.” He wondered how some people, due to vested interests, were raising slogans in favour of such leaders despite their actions.
Highlighting the political functioning of the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “These people have always mixed politics and religion for their vested interests and have always undermined the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.” Citing examples, he added, “Jathedars are appointed and ousted as per the whims and fancies of the Akali leadership, giving a severe blow to their position.”
Taking a dig at the Akali Dal’s so-called ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’, he remarked, “The so-called Punjab Bachao Yatra is actually a ‘Parivar Bachao Yatra’. After looting the state for 15 years, they must explain from whom they are trying to save Punjab.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly, bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally, and patronised several mafias in the state. The Akali leadership can never be forgiven as it was responsible for the genocide of several generations of the state as the drug trade was patronised by them and flourished during their long era of misrule.”
Referring to Sukhbir Singh Badal, he added, “Sukhbir Singh Badal frequently defames AAP karyakartas because they raise the voice of the people.”
Continuing his criticism, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These people became affluent and amassed huge wealth by usurping facilities meant for the common man. The former Deputy Chief Minister has forgotten that the state deteriorated during their long misrule when the mafia ruled the roost.” He further added, “Even late Parkash Singh Badal had never made Sukhbir the head of the state as he knew the former Deputy Chief Minister would put the state in disarray.”
Targeting priorities of the opposition, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Instead of talking about education and welfare schemes, Sukhbir is talking about buffaloes, which reflects his myopic mindset that he does not want the youth of the state to become officers.”
He added, “The Akali leader is begging for one chance from the people, probably forgetting that they were given a chance five times. Instead of serving the people, they looted the masses and the state, due to which they were shown the door by the people.”
Referring to a recent incident, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “At a function in Sri Muktsar Sahib, the Akali leadership was caught stealing power, and the state government will lodge a case against them. What welfare can be expected from such people who indulge in petty crimes like power theft?” He contrasted this by stating that his government is making strenuous efforts for the well-being of every section of society.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Sukhbir Singh Badal is a convent-educated political leader who is not aware of the basic topography of Punjab but wants to attain political power in the state. These leaders plundered the state mercilessly and minted money illegally during their days in power. They deserve no mercy as they derailed the development of the state for their vested political interests.”
He added, “These people have only ‘one-way’ pockets as they acquire money through illegal means rather than giving it to the people. The former Deputy Chief Minister distributed money from Golaks during floods rather than from his own business.” He further remarked, “The former Deputy Chief Minister is totally ignorant about the history, topography, and culture of the state and cannot even differentiate between crops.”
Taking aim at traditional political parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Congress and Akali Dal acted like termites that ruined the state after independence, causing Punjab to lag behind in development. They damaged the state economically, socially, politically, and even religiously, but Punjab is now back on the right track due to the steps taken by our government.”
Highlighting the social impact of past policies, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Due to the wrong policies of these leaders, youth got addicted to drugs and many left the country in search of better opportunities. These parties only wait for their turn in power to plunder the wealth of the state. They are never concerned about the welfare of people and only seek to satisfy their lust for power.”
Drawing a contrast in governance approach, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “From our stage, we speak about education, health, power, agriculture, and other sectors, whereas other parties focus only on grabbing power. These opportunist leaders are baffled as people are not responding to them because their agenda is limited to their families rather than the public.” He added that people had elected the AAP due to the incompetence and misrule of previous governments.
Referring again to opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These traditional parties have never been loyal to Punjab and its people. They are envious because AAP has set the agenda of welfare of the common people.” He quipped that the Congress leadership is a divided house, stating that more leaders are seen on stage than karyakartas in their rallies, and added that they lack vision for Punjab.
Emphasising long-term solutions, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “No freebie or concession can eliminate poverty or social evils; education is the key to lifting people out of this cycle by improving their standard of living.” He added, “Education is the light that dispels darkness, and that is why the government is focusing on transforming government schools, leading to improved student performance.”
On power and agriculture, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the state’s history, more than eight hours of uninterrupted power was supplied to farm tube wells during the paddy season, and farmers are now receiving daytime electricity, transforming their lives.” He reiterated that every penny of public money is being used judiciously for welfare.
Highlighting investment and healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The best parameter of law and order is investment, and the fact that Tata Steel has set up its second-largest plant in Punjab reflects confidence in the state.” He added, “Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, health cards are being issued to 65 lakh families, entitling them to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh, with over 30 lakh beneficiaries already covered.”
He further said, “Around 1.65 lakh people have already received free treatment under the scheme, and people should take maximum benefit of these cards. Tax money belongs to the people and is being spent on their welfare through development, schools, hospitals, and roads.” He added that the government has provided free electricity to 90% of households, created over 65,000 government jobs without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily, and is strengthening infrastructure.
On social welfare measures, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Under Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, every woman will receive ₹1,000 per month and ₹1,500 for women belonging to Scheduled Castes, with direct transfer to bank accounts. Women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible.” He added, “Around 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit, and ₹9,300 crore has been allocated in the budget.”
Responding to critics, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those mocking this scheme or raising baseless questions do not understand the value of ₹1,000 for a common person. Those who spend more than ₹5,000 per meal from illegally earned money do not value this support, which is crucial for households that struggle even during festivals.” He added that such affluent leaders are disconnected from the realities of ordinary families.
Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Barinder Goyal, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, and Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with Vice Chancellor Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University Dr. Pushpinder Singh Gill, were also present on the occasion.
