On the sacred occasion of Maghi, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann visited Sri Muktsar Sahib, where he paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Tuti Gandi Sahib and addressed a large public gathering, reiterating the Punjab Government’s position on the tracing of 169 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. On a day deeply rooted in Sikh history and sacrifice, the Chief Minister said the tracing of the saroops was a matter of duty rather than achievement.
The Chief Minister also announced that the Punjab government would make budgetary provisions for a ₹1,000 monthly assistance scheme for women in the upcoming budget and maintained that his government has fulfilled every commitment made to the people of Punjab. The AAP leaders said the scale of participation at the Maghi gathering reflected public confidence in the government.
Addressing a mammoth political conference organised to mark Maghi, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government has so far fulfilled every promise made to the people of Punjab. “We have honoured every commitment made to the people, and now we will start a scheme to give ₹1,000 to every woman of the state. The required budgetary provision will be ensured in the coming budget. This government is fully committed to the welfare of all, and every promise made to the people of Punjab will be fulfilled by all means,” he said.
Recalling the historical significance of the sacred site, the Chief Minister said that the land had witnessed the supreme sacrifice of Sikh warriors led by Bhai Maha Singh ji and that the entire Sikh Sangat was paying tribute to their martyrdom. “People have converged here from across the state and are fortunate to be part of this gathering. This pious land and the sacrifices made here live in the heart of every Sikh across the world, inspiring them to stand against tyranny, injustice, and oppression,” he said.
Taking a dig at opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that previous governments suffer from weak memory and are merely waiting for their turn to plunder Punjab after elections. “The ‘jhaadu’ (broom), which is the symbol of AAP, has cleaned the political system, and that is why traditional parties are baffled. These leaders are attacking me only because I come from a common family, something they are unable to digest,” he said.
Stressing that people are supreme in a democracy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the masses have made up their mind to teach opportunist leaders a lesson. “The massive turnout at this rally reflects the love and affection people have for the government and its policies. Other parties are also holding rallies, but Sukhbir Badal’s rally must have ended by now because hardly anyone would have gone there,” he remarked.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that even people brought in buses hired by the Akalis had joined the AAP rally. He added that the opposition is groping in the dark to defame the state government and is envious of its pro-people and pro-Punjab stance. “I will leave no stone unturned to safeguard the interests of Punjab and Punjabis at any cost,” he asserted.
Highlighting governance priorities, the Chief Minister said that the role of any government is to give wings to children so they can write new success stories in life. “Every file signed by me is aimed at benefiting the common man and the state. More than 63,000 youths have been provided jobs purely on merit, without corruption or recommendation. Every decision taken by our government is focused on the progress of Punjab and the prosperity of its people,” he said.
On strengthening public services, the Chief Minister said that more than 10,000 new police personnel are being recruited to enhance the efficiency of the Punjab Police. He added that several public libraries have been opened to help students study and excel, uninterrupted power is being provided to all sectors, and 90 percent of households are receiving free electricity.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that even villages at the tail end have received water for the first time, something opposition leaders never prioritised. “Those who do not know the result of 12 multiplied by 5 are daydreaming of coming to power,” he said, adding that people of Delhi are now repenting after electing a wrong government that has stalled pro-people decisions taken during the AAP regime.
He said that previous governments were responsible for brain drain due to flawed policies, but reverse migration has begun since his government assumed office. “The wise, brave, and hardworking people of Punjab are fully aware of the dubious character of leaders who were earlier rejected by them. Today, Punjab is making rapid progress in every field because our government has taken concrete steps for comprehensive development, including historic initiatives in health, education, and power,” he said.
Referring to infrastructure development, the Chief Minister said that work on over 49,000 km of roads is progressing at full pace. Reiterating the women’s assistance scheme, he said that the promise of ₹1,000 per month to every woman will be fulfilled through the coming budget, just as every other promise has been honoured. He added that while Sukhbir claims all development took place during their regime, they deliberately ignored the sacrilege incidents of Bargari and Behbal Kalan.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that exploiting religion for vested political interests has bruised the psyche of the common people and is an unpardonable sin. “They are hand in glove with forces inimical to the Sikh Panth and Punjab,” he said, adding that the SIT probing the case of 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib has traced 169 saroops from a religious place near Banga, out of which 139 have no official record.
“This is not an achievement but our duty,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, adding that publishing of saroops is the responsibility of SGPC and that such institutions failed in their duty due to the Akalis. “These leaders cannot be forgiven for such sins and mischiefs,” he said.
Highlighting economic relief and healthcare initiatives, the Chief Minister said that 19 toll plazas have been closed, saving ₹64 lakh every day for people. He added that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across Punjab, providing free treatment and medicines, and that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna will soon be rolled out to offer cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh.
Addressing the gathering, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said that the Punjab Government has taken exemplary steps for the welfare of people. “The massive participation in this rally clearly shows that people have made up their mind to give another chance to the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government. The work done by this government has received appreciation across the country, and people are eagerly waiting to re-elect the AAP due to its consistent pro-people initiatives,” he said.
On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Dr Balbir Singh, Dr Baljit Kaur, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Lal Chand Kataruchakk, Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with MLAs Baljinder Kaur, Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi, and others were also present.
