Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched a blistering attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress, asserting that the era of political parties taking turns to rule Punjab is over and that those responsible for betraying the state’s trust will be held accountable. During a massive gathering during a Lok Milni in Phagwara, the Chief Minister said that while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Jhaadu is cleaning Punjab’s political system, the Akalis and Congress, two sides of the same coin, are struggling for political survival after decades of pursuing vested interests.
Pointing out that the Akali leadership is misleading people and questioning their credibility, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those who lied before Sri Akal Takht Sahib cannot be loyal to anyone. He further remarked that the Congress is on its death bed due to its internal infighting, while Punjab is witnessing unprecedented progress in education, healthcare, power and welfare under the people-centric governance of the AAP Government.
Addressing a Lok Milni in Phagwara, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Gone are the days when these parties used to play musical chairs and wait for their turn of power. Actually, these parties safeguarded each other’s interests during their days in power due to which their misdeeds were never exposed. However, now the people have elected the Aam Aadmi Party and the symbol of this party, the jhaadu, is cleansing the political system of the state. The day is not far when the Akalis will be behind bars for their sins.”
The Chief Minister said, “Akalis and Congress are two sides of the same coin. They are not concerned about the people but are concerned only about their vested interests. They themselves executed sacrilege incidents at many places and lied before Sri Akal Takht Sahib and later agreed too. They got police officers killed during terrorism and even gave promotions to guilty police officers. They bestowed themselves with the title of Fakr-e-Qaum whereas they had facilitated the safe exit of the culprits of the 1978 incident.”
Lashing out at the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sukhbir Badal is not aware about the ground realities because throughout his life he has lived in a secured environment with luxuries and opulence. Sukhbir Singh Badal is a convent educated political leader of Punjab who is not aware of the basic topography of the state but wants to attain political power in Punjab. Leaving everything aside, the former Deputy Chief Minister cannot even differentiate the basic crops of the state because he has scant knowledge about the basic issues.”
Referring to the issue of sacrilege, the Chief Minister stated, “Whenever incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji took place, the psyche of millions of people was deeply hurt. The Almighty has blessed me with the wisdom and strength to bring this Bill after detailed consultation with legal experts. The state government has drafted this Bill carefully so that no future amendments or loopholes would weaken it.”
The Chief Minister further noted, “This Bill will act as a deterrent for anti-social elements to indulge in any such sin in future and no one will ever be able to indulge in this heinous crime. The Akalis were never sincere about making such a law when they were in power. The truth is that their intentions were flawed. The Akalis allowed sacrilege incidents to take place for their political gains. They even admitted their mistakes before Sri Akal Takht Sahib but later denied them publicly. Those who can lie before the Takht can never be loyal to anyone. People must remain cautious of such individuals who are not loyal to anyone and only want political power to plunder the state.”
The Chief Minister said, “The Akalis misused religion for their vested interests. The Jathedars are appointed from the pockets of the Akalis due to which they are indulging in politics. These people have no agenda and their sole aim is to defame me by hook or by crook. People are aware of the dubious character of these leaders and they will never get swayed by their theatrics.”
Taking a swipe at the Congress party, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Congress party is on its death bed and will be finished very soon because it has no vision for the people and the state. Their only aim is to plunder the wealth of Punjab by assuming power but their dreams will never be fulfilled. The Congress party is a divided house that will collapse due to its infighting. It is a pity that the top Congress leaders who come to unite these leaders squabbling for power are not even aware how to pronounce their names.”
Emphasising the role of governance in shaping the future of Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The work of any government is to provide wings to children so that they can script a new success story in life. Every file signed by me is aimed at the benefit of the common man and the state. More than 67,000 government jobs have been provided to youth without corruption or recommendation. Every decision of the state government is aimed at the progress of the state and prosperity of its people.”
Highlighting the transformation in the education sector, the Chief Minister stated, “Schools of Eminence have been set up across the state to impart quality education to students. These schools have been equipped with smart classrooms, fully equipped laboratories and playgrounds for scientific learning. To upscale the expertise of teachers, a special programme has been embarked upon under which teachers and principals are being sent abroad for training to make sure that they are well versed with modern teaching practices and can prepare students for future competitions in the international arena. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab has ranked first in the National Achievement Survey conducted by the Government of India, surpassing even Kerala.”
The Chief Minister further said, “Students are being offered specialised coaching for competitive examinations such as Armed Forces Preparation, NEET, JEE, CLAT and NIFT. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools have qualified for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced and NEET examinations. Punjab has become the first state to provide free healthcare to all citizens and around 1,000 Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing free treatment daily.”
Referring to the power sector reforms undertaken by his Government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Since the AAP government assumed charge in 2022, around 90% households of the state are receiving free electricity. For the first time in the history of Punjab, more than eight hours of uninterrupted power is being supplied to farm tube wells during the paddy season and that too during the daytime. The AAP Government has laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses across the state to facilitate farmers in every nook and corner of Punjab.”
The Chief Minister said, “As much as 21,000 cusecs of water has been released through these pipelines and watercourses to benefit farmers by catering to their irrigation needs. This water released by the state government is equal to the water supplied by two Bhakra canals. Farmers across Punjab will be immensely benefited by this initiative. Recharge points have been created in canals and rivers so that groundwater levels can improve, and water levels have already increased by two to four metres in several areas.”
The Chief Minister said that the AAP Government remains committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach every village, every farmer and every household of the state.
Highlighting the people-centric governance model of the AAP Government, the Chief Minister stated, “The taxpayers’ money is being judiciously spent on the welfare of the people and it is coming back to them through development, schools, hospitals and roads. The state government is now working for the people and has closed toll plazas, thereby saving ₹70 lakh of the people’s money every day. The AAP Government is making strenuous efforts for the well-being of every section of society and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause.”
Referring to the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The AAP government has started the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna under which women above 18 years of age from all other categories will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women from the Scheduled Caste category will receive ₹1,500 per month as financial assistance. For ordinary people, especially the poor, ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 is a significant amount. This amount is a mark of respect for mothers and daughters and the smile on women’s faces due to this scheme gives me great satisfaction.”
Highlighting the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the Chief Minister stated, “In order to provide comprehensive healthcare to people, the AAP Government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which has significantly eased the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “This historic move is aimed at providing universal healthcare to all families of the state. People have availed free treatment worth more than ₹650 crore under the scheme so far.”
The Chief Minister stated, “Today Punjab is making rapid strides in every field because the state government has taken every step for the comprehensive development of Punjab. The AAP Government has taken path-breaking initiatives in health, education, power and other sectors. Work on the construction of more than 49,000 kilometres of rural roads is going on in full swing and will be accomplished soon.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government has closed 19 toll plazas in Punjab, which is saving ₹64 lakh daily from the pockets of common people in toll fees. The AAP Government has hitherto fulfilled every promise made to the people of the state and Punjab is the first state to do so. The sole agenda of the state government is to ensure the progress of the state and the prosperity of its people.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced a grant of more than ₹18 crore for the development of the Phagwara Assembly segment.
The Chief Minister said, “No stone will be left unturned for the progress of the constituency.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure that the ADC Phagwara is given more powers so that people of the segment do not have to travel to Kapurthala for petty works.
Highlighting the objective behind the Lok Milni programme, the Chief Minister said, “Lok Milnis are not associated with politics. The sole aim of the state government is to usher in development and prosperity. Lok Milnis act as a pivotal bridge between the government and the masses. The AAP government is working tirelessly for the well-being of the people and several key initiatives have already been taken in the state.”
Lok Sabha MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
