Barnala (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the Congress, BJP and Akali Dal, saying the three parties have united against Punjab’s unprecedented progress because they cannot tolerate the overwhelming support being received by the AAP-led government. During a Lok Milni in Barnala, the Chief Minister said the traditional parties have lost their mental balance as they are unable to digest the state’s rapid development and have resorted to fake videos and false propaganda in the name of religion to defame him and mislead the people.
Listing a series of pro-people initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Government, the Chief Minister said his government remains focused on delivering development and public welfare despite repeated attempts to derail it. He announced that women across Punjab will begin receiving financial assistance under the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna from July 1, highlighted the launch of the country’s first project to shift high-tension power lines underground in villages, and asserted that no conspiracy or smear campaign would deter him from working for the people and safeguarding Punjab’s interests.
Addressing the Lok Milni, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government has taken several historic decisions for the welfare of the common people and the progress of the state. “The traditional political parties, which never cared for the common people, are unable to digest these achievements. They are continuously spitting venom against the Punjab Government and me. They have no agenda for the people and their sole objective is to malign the government by making baseless statements.”
Making a major announcement, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that after five days, from July 1, women across Punjab will begin receiving financial assistance under the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna. “Women beneficiaries above the age of 18 years will receive notifications on their mobile phones regarding the financial assistance. Every woman in Punjab will receive ₹1,000, while SC women will receive ₹1,500. The amount will be transferred directly into their bank accounts. Women who are already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible for the scheme.”
He said that nearly 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit from the scheme and the Punjab Government has allocated ₹9,300 crore in the Budget for its implementation.
Emphasising the broader social significance of the scheme, the Chief Minister said, “This financial assistance may not make women rich, but it will certainly give them dignity and self-respect. Women deserve the highest respect because they are the source of life itself. The blessings of mothers and sisters help overcome every challenge. Strengthening women’s financial autonomy is essential for improving household welfare, promoting gender equality, and increasing women’s participation in social and economic decision-making.”
Highlighting another major initiative, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the AAP Government has launched the country’s first ambitious project to place high-tension electricity lines underground, beginning with a pilot project in his native village. “This historic project will free villages from the web of overhead electricity wires and unnecessary poles. Electricity poles and overhead wires pose a constant threat of electrocution to people, animals, and especially children. Accidents frequently occur when tractors, combine harvesters, and other vehicles come into contact with these overhead wires.”
He further said, “Crop fires also cause heavy losses to farmers, while rain, storms, and strong winds damage poles and wires, resulting in power disruptions and financial losses to the power corporation. This project will provide permanent relief from all these problems and improve the quality of life in villages. Every single penny of the state exchequer is being utilised judiciously for the welfare of the people.”
The Chief Minister said that more than 90% of households in Punjab are receiving free electricity. “For the first time, farmers are receiving electricity during the daytime. While the Union Government is selling national assets to its blue-eyed friends at throwaway prices, our government has created history by purchasing a private thermal plant,” he added.
He also reiterated that his government has laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses across the state to ensure irrigation facilities reach farmers in every corner of Punjab. “Around 21,000 cusecs of water have been released through these pipelines and watercourses, which will immensely benefit farmers by meeting their irrigation requirements. Recharge points have been created in canals and rivers, resulting in an increase in groundwater levels by two to four metres,” he added.
Referring to the opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Because of their own misdeeds, leaders of traditional political parties hesitate to visit the people, due to which their security has been increased. The Akali Dal has now become a party of sisters-in-law, with one sister-in-law serving as an MP and another as an MLA. Sukhbir Badal continues to remain in trauma after the 2022 electoral defeat.”
He further said, “When my opponents fail to challenge me politically, they try to defame me on religious grounds. Since I have become a nightmare for them, they have now chosen to target me on religious grounds. Every day they create fake videos and circulate them through social media.”
The Chief Minister asserted that such attempts would not deter him. “I will continue working for electricity, water, roads, village ponds, Aam Aadmi Clinics, hospitals, and employment opportunities,” he affirmed.
Referring to recent developments, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “They continuously try to defame me through one accusation after another. Now the SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee) has ordered posters to be displayed outside gurdwaras calling for my boycott. But why were such posters not put up against the Akali Dal or Sukhbir Badal when they themselves admitted responsibility for incidents of beadbi?”
He added, “On December 2, before Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sukhbir Badal acknowledged his mistakes, admitted wrongdoing, accepted responsibility for the firing incidents, and admitted that orders had been issued against the sangat. Did anyone put up boycott posters outside gurdwaras against them?”
The Chief Minister said that wherever he visits, people gather in huge numbers. “When I visit villages, community gatherings, and public meetings, massive crowds gather. The opposition cannot tolerate this because they themselves cannot attract such public support. Therefore, all three parties have joined hands with the sole objective of defaming me on religious grounds. But ultimately, the people will deliver the final judgment,” he added.
He reiterated, “I will continue to stand firmly for Punjab and its interests. They may do whatever they wish, but the people will decide whether anyone can stoop to such a level.”
Calling the circulated videos completely fabricated, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann urged people not to believe them. “These videos are entirely fake and fabricated. Since the opposition cannot compete with me politically, they are trying to tarnish my image through false religious propaganda. They cannot tolerate Punjab’s progress, which is why they continue hatching such conspiracies. The people of Punjab will decide. I belong to the people and will continue living among them.”
The Chief Minister further said that three political parties have united against him because they are unable to digest Punjab’s unprecedented development and the immense affection shown by the people. “Congress, which rolled tanks on Sri Akal Takht Sahib, is questioning us today, and it is supported by the BJP, which favoured Congress in this heinous crime. The third party is the one involved in the incidents of beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. All three have only one agenda, to defame me by every possible means.”
Taking a swipe at the Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In the Congress, every leader wants to become the Chief Minister. They have more Chief Ministerial aspirants than ordinary workers. Congress is a divided house that will collapse because of its internal infighting. These leaders have no vision for Punjab. Their only aim is to plunder the wealth of the state by returning to power, but their dreams will never be fulfilled.”
He added, “Earlier these traditional parties merely waited for their turn to capture power. Now the broom is there to clean the mess created by them.”
Highlighting the AAP Government’s healthcare initiatives, the Chief Minister said that the state has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the country’s first universal healthcare scheme providing cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. “It is a matter of immense pride that Punjab has become the first state in the country to provide such comprehensive healthcare coverage. The scheme has significantly reduced the financial burden on people while ensuring quality healthcare. This historic initiative aims to provide universal healthcare to every family in Punjab, and people have already availed free treatment worth more than ₹650 crore.”
Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
