Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday tore into the Akali Dal-BJP, and Congress, pointing out that the traditional parties have looted Punjab and betrayed its people, while asserting that the AAP Government’s record of development, employment generation and clean governance would earn it another mandate. During a massive gathering at a Lok Milni in Moran village of Dirba constituency in Sangrur after inaugurating a sports ground, the Chief Minister said his government is transforming Punjab through roads, schools, sewerage infrastructure, sports facilities and employment opportunities, rather than indulging in the politics of exploitation practised by previous governments.
Announcing ₹51 lakh for development works in the village, the Chief Minister also took aim at the Akali Dal’s eagerness to forge an alliance with the BJP, recalling the deaths of 750 farmers during the farmers’ protest at Delhi’s borders and warning that any such political reunion would face the verdict of Punjab’s people. He asserted that the people’s trust and support remained his government’s greatest strength and reiterated his commitment to restoring Punjab’s glory as ‘Rangla Punjab’.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, I addressed a massive gathering at the ‘Lok Milni’ in Moran village of Dirba constituency. I also handed over a cheque of ₹51 lakh for the village’s development works. Your love and trust are our greatest strength. Unlike the traditional parties that indulged in loot and plunder, our aim is to ensure clean governance and the progress of Punjab. We are bringing transformative changes in education and employment so that sons and daughters from ordinary families can receive quality education and rise to become senior officers.bWe remain fully committed to our promise of restoring Punjab’s glory and making it ‘Rangla Punjab’ once again.”
Addressing a massive gathering after inaugurating a newly constructed sports ground, the Chief Minister said, “Development is now visible in every village, from roads and schools to sewerage facilities and sports infrastructure. He also handed over a cheque of ₹51 lakh for development works in the village, reiterating that the people’s love and trust remained his greatest strength.”
The Chief Minister pointed out, “Unlike the traditional parties that indulged in loot and plunder, our government’s objective is clean governance and the progress of Punjab. Our honest intentions are reflected in the work being carried out across the state. Roads are being constructed, schools are being transformed, sewerage facilities are being strengthened and essential infrastructure is reaching villages. We are not merely making announcements; we are delivering on our commitments. The people’s money belongs to the people, and every penny of the state exchequer is being judiciously utilised for their welfare.”
Highlighting the employment achievements, the Chief Minister said, “We have provided more than 70,000 government jobs to eligible youth without corruption and have generated over six lakh additional employment opportunities by bringing investment into Punjab. Our aim is to ensure that the sons and daughters of ordinary families get quality education, secure good jobs and rise to become senior officers. The youth should not be forced to leave their homeland in search of opportunities. We are creating an environment where they can build a prosperous future in Punjab itself.”
Speaking about the expansion of sporting infrastructure, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab was witnessing a new sporting revolution, with modern playgrounds being developed in villages alongside the hosting of international sporting events. “On one hand, we are constructing 3,100 sports grounds across Punjab to channelise the energy of our youth towards sports and keep them away from drugs; on the other, Ludhiana is hosting the Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Championship. This reflects our vision of making Punjab a leading sporting destination and providing our players with world-class opportunities. We want our youth to excel in sports and bring laurels to the state,” he said.
Launching a sharp attack on the BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, the Chief Minister said that these traditional parties had governed Punjab for decades but had failed to safeguard its interests. “The BJP, Congress and Akali Dal cannot be trusted because they have only exploited Punjab for their political interests. They had decades to address the problems of the people, but their governments were more concerned about power and vested interests. The people of Punjab have not forgotten their record and will hold them accountable for what they have done to the state,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Akali Dal over its efforts to forge an alliance with the BJP, the Chief Minister said that, “The Akali Dal is eager to join hands with the BJP, the same party that was in power at the Centre when farmers were protesting against the three contentious farm laws at Delhi’s borders. As many as 750 farmers lost their lives during this historic agitation. It is unfortunate that a party which claims to represent the interests of Punjab’s farmers is now keen to align with the BJP. If the Akali Dal and BJP come together, the people of Punjab will reject them at the hustings and ensure that their candidates lose their security deposits.”
The Chief Minister said that his government is ensuring that the benefits of governance reached every household, particularly through free electricity, improved infrastructure and public services. “More than 90% of households in Punjab are receiving free electricity. Even farmers are now getting electricity during the daytime, which is an unprecedented change. Our government has also closed toll plazas, saving commuters around ₹70 lakh every day. We are improving roads, strengthening public infrastructure and providing quality education and healthcare. The money collected from the people is being returned to them through schools, hospitals, roads and other development works,” he said.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to rural development, he said that grants were being provided to villages to undertake essential infrastructure projects. “Our government is working tirelessly to improve the quality of life in villages. Development should not remain confined to cities; every village deserves better roads, schools, sewerage facilities, playgrounds and other basic amenities. The ₹51 lakh grant being provided for development works in Moran village is part of our commitment to strengthening rural infrastructure and ensuring balanced development across Punjab,” he said.
Highlighting the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the Chief Minister said that the state government had taken a historic step towards providing comprehensive healthcare coverage to every resident family. “Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, every resident family in Punjab is entitled to cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that no family is forced to compromise on medical treatment because of financial constraints. Punjab has taken a significant step towards universal healthcare by bringing comprehensive medical coverage within the reach of its people. The scheme will substantially ease the financial burden on families and ensure access to quality healthcare,” he said.
Speaking about the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, he said that the scheme would provide monthly financial assistance directly into the bank accounts of eligible women. “Under the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, every woman beneficiary above the age of 18 years will receive ₹1,000 per month if they belong to and ₹1,500 per month in the case of Scheduled Caste women. The assistance will be transferred directly into their bank accounts, and women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible. Nearly 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit from this initiative, for which the state government has earmarked ₹9,300 crore,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that quality education was the most effective instrument for eliminating poverty and empowering ordinary families. “No freebie or concession card can eliminate poverty and social inequalities. Education is the real key that can transform lives, raise living standards and empower the common man. This is why our government is making sustained efforts to improve the quality of education in government schools. Through teacher training programmes, Schools of Eminence and other reforms, we are ensuring that children from ordinary families receive opportunities comparable to those available in the best institutions,” he said.
Citing the improvement in NEET results, the Chief Minister said that the performance of government school students reflected the impact of the education reforms undertaken by his government. “In 2021, only 80 students from government schools had cleared the NEET examination. In 2026, this number has increased more than elevenfold to 882. This is the difference that focused investment and sincere efforts in education can make. Our children are proving that talent is not limited to privileged families and that government schools can prepare students to succeed in the most competitive examinations,” he said.
Highlighting the expansion of canal irrigation, the Chief Minister said that his government had ensured that water reached agricultural fields in villages which had never received canal irrigation facilities earlier. “For the first time in Punjab’s history, canal water has reached the fields of 1,587 villages that had never received this facility. Our government has spent ₹7,200 crore to strengthen the canal network and ensure that water reaches every field. The area under canal irrigation has increased from 26% to more than 80% since we assumed office. In 2022, only 20.89 lakh acres received canal water, whereas today the coverage has expanded to 60.30 lakh acres,” he said.
He further said that nearly 45,000 kilometres of roads were being renovated and upgraded to improve connectivity and facilitate residents across the state.
Reiterating his commitment to the people of Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he drew his strength from their love and trust and remained dedicated to safeguarding their rights, dignity and future. “I am seeking the trust of the people because I want to serve them. My strength comes from the people of Punjab, not from any position of power. As long as I have their support, I will continue working for their rights, dignity and the future of the next generation. We are fully committed to our promise of making Punjab ‘Rangla Punjab’ once again. The welfare of every household and the progress of every village will remain at the centre of our decisions,” he said.
