As talk of a renewed alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP gathers pace, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said the coming together of the two parties reflects a desperate bid to regain political power after being repeatedly rejected by the people of Punjab. Addressing a Lok Milni among residents of Shamaspur village in the Amloh constituency, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the SAD-BJP alliance was not being forged for public welfare or any shared ideology but to revive the politics that had harmed Punjab through the patronage of the drug menace, anti-farmer policies and divisive agendas.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also targeted the BJP over the misuse of central agencies and said the Congress remained consumed by internal rivalries and leadership ambitions. Highlighting a series of pro-people initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Government, he asserted that Punjabis had chosen honest governance and development in 2022 and would not allow a return to the politics of loot, deception and vested interests. During the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “Punjabis have already rejected traditional parties and will not allow them to return through opportunistic political arrangements that serve neither ideology nor public welfare.”
Speaking on the emerging alliance between the Akali Dal and BJP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Akali Dal-BJP alliance will prove fatal for both parties because it is not based on any ideology or concern for public welfare. Its sole objective is to grab power in Punjab. Leaders of both parties have spent years attacking each other and spewing venom against one another. They must now explain to the people with what face they will seek public support. Punjabis will not be misled by such political theatrics and will teach them a befitting lesson.”
Targeting the BJP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The BJP has always displayed an anti-Punjab mindset and repeatedly treated Punjab in a discriminatory manner, jeopardising the state’s development and progress. More than 700 farmers laid down their lives during the struggle against the anti-farmer laws imposed by the BJP. The party has consistently treated Punjab unfairly and is now trying to divide people in the name of religion.”
Expressing concern over the misuse of central agencies, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “These agencies are increasingly functioning as extensions of the BJP and are being used to pressure and intimidate people into supporting the saffron party. Political opponents and even small traders are being arm-twisted for partisan interests. By targeting opponents through such means, the BJP is attempting to silence democratic voices, and Punjab will never tolerate such actions.”
Coming down heavily on the Akali Dal over incidents of beadbi and the drug menace during its tenure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the party repeatedly sought votes in the name of Gurbani but failed to protect its sanctity when Punjab witnessed incidents that deeply hurt the sentiments of people.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Akalis sought votes in the name of Gurbani but failed to uphold its sanctity. Despite repeatedly invoking the teachings of the Gurus, they presided over a period when incidents of beadbi deeply hurt the sentiments of Punjabis. Those who speak about development during their tenure conveniently ignore Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and other painful episodes where innocent lives were lost.”
Taking a direct swipe at Shiromani Akali Dal leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal speaks about development during the Akali regime but turns a blind eye towards Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and other incidents where beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji took place and innocent people lost their lives. The Akalis should be held accountable for ruining generations because the drug trade flourished under their patronage during their long misrule.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “The hands of these leaders are drenched with the blood of millions of youth who fell prey to drugs supplied across the state. Their sins are unpardonable and the people can never forgive them for their long saga of misdeeds. Akali leaders mercilessly looted Punjab and committed numerous atrocities on ordinary citizens during their long and tyrannical rule.”
Warning against any future alliance between the Akali Dal and BJP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Both parties now want to join hands again to satisfy their hunger for power. Such an alliance will prove disastrous for Punjab because its only objective is to derail the state’s progress and push it back into darker times. Punjabis understand the character and intentions of these parties and will never support such a narrow-minded alliance.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed that traditional parties have repeatedly exploited people by dividing them on communal lines. “These parties have no agenda beyond looting Punjab’s resources and exploiting ordinary citizens. The people of Punjab are supreme and they stand firmly with a government that is working sincerely for every section of society.”
Taking a swipe at the Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Every Congress leader wants to become Chief Minister. They have more chief ministerial aspirants than workers. Congress leaders continue to dream about returning to power, but the party is deeply divided and consumed by infighting. They have no vision for Punjab and their only objective is to gain power.”
He added, “Congress leaders are daydreaming about assuming power in Punjab. The party is a divided house that will collapse like a house of cards because of its internal feuds. Their only objective is to gain control of Punjab’s resources and the people are fully aware of their intentions.”
Recalling the historic mandate given by the people in 2022, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has witnessed a paradigm shift in governance after decades of rule by traditional political parties. “For decades, traditional parties simply waited for their turn to occupy power. Today, the broom is cleaning the mess created by those parties. In 2022, the people rejected seven former Chief Ministers and their families and entrusted power to an honest government. That historic mandate has transformed Punjab and enabled us to work tirelessly for public welfare.”
Expressing confidence that the law would act as a strong deterrent against beadbi, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is our collective responsibility to preserve its sanctity. Those who misused religion for political gains cannot be forgiven. We are fortunate to have fulfilled our responsibility by enacting this historic law, which will act as a deterrent against such incidents in future.”
Speaking about irrigation reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “When we assumed office, only 22 % canal water was being utilised for irrigation. Today, that figure has crossed 80%.” Highlighting efforts to strengthen irrigation infrastructure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The AAP Government has laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses across the state and released 21,000 cusecs of water through them. This is equivalent to the water supplied by two Bhakra canals and will greatly benefit farmers.”
Highlighting Punjab’s progress in education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Due to sustained reforms, Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one position in primary and middle-school education.” He added, “Over the last four years, the AAP Government has strengthened schools, introduced smart classrooms, provided advanced teacher training and modernised the education system. Today Punjab stands at the top because of these efforts.”
Referring to recent rankings, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “NITI Aayog has released new figures showing that Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one position in primary and middle-school education.” The Chief Minister further said, “For the last four years, the AAP Government has focused on teacher training, modern teaching methods and smart classrooms. Earlier Kerala held the top position, but Punjab has now secured the number one rank with a huge margin. We will continue making even greater efforts in the future.”
Speaking about healthcare initiatives, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab, entitling every family to cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh annually.” He added, “More than 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received their health cards and people have availed treatment worth around ₹650 crore under the scheme. I urge all eligible families to take maximum benefit of these cards.”
Highlighting improvements in power supply for farmers, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in Punjab’s history, farmers have received more than eight hours of uninterrupted electricity during the paddy season and daytime power supply for irrigation, significantly improving their lives.”
Referring to Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The AAP Government has launched this scheme under which women above 18 years of age will receive ₹1,000 per month of all other categories and ₹1,500 per month of the SC category. Eligible beneficiaries will begin receiving benefits from July 1.”
Calling the Lok Milni an opportunity to directly engage with people, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This is not a political event but a platform for direct interaction with citizens. Governments came and went in Punjab, but few genuinely cared about people’s welfare. Traditional parties treated governance like a game of musical chairs and looted Punjab’s resources. The people responded by placing their faith in the broom, which has transformed schools, hospitals and public services across the state.”
