Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accusing them of harming Punjab through wrong policies, corruption and divisive politics over many years.
Speaking at a Lok Milni programme in Manki village in Samrala, Mann said the opposition parties had repeatedly ignored the interests of Punjab and its people. He claimed that his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was working differently by focusing on public welfare, education, healthcare and development.
The chief minister used the event to target all three major opposition parties. He accused the BJP of following anti-Punjab policies, criticised the Congress for internal fighting and blamed the Akali Dal for protecting leaders linked to sacrilege controversies.
Mann also announced ₹50 lakh for development works in the village and said his government would continue introducing policies aimed at improving the lives of ordinary people.
During his speech, Mann attacked the BJP over the now-repealed farm laws that had led to massive protests by farmers across the country, especially in Punjab. He reminded people that hundreds of farmers had died during the long agitation against the three laws.
The chief minister questioned how the BJP could ask for votes in Punjab after the deaths of so many protesting farmers. He alleged that if the BJP came to power in Punjab, it could once again introduce laws similar to the earlier farm laws, which were strongly opposed by farmers.
Mann said the BJP often tried to create communal divisions before elections in order to gain political advantage. According to him, such politics harms social unity and creates unnecessary tension among people.
He also accused the BJP of showing an anti-Punjab mindset by making Sanskrit compulsory and Punjabi optional in army schools. Mann claimed this decision hurt the pride and identity of Punjabis. He said Punjabi language and culture must be respected and protected in every institution connected with the state.
The chief minister told the gathering that Punjab has always played an important role in the country’s history and sacrifices, and therefore the state deserves respect and fair treatment.
Mann further claimed that previous governments had neglected Punjab’s interests while focusing more on political gains. He said his government was trying to reverse that trend by giving importance to education, healthcare, jobs and village development.
He added that public money was now being spent on welfare schemes and projects that directly benefit people instead of being wasted through corruption.
Bhagwant Mann also spoke about his government’s work in education and social welfare. He claimed that Punjab had achieved top rankings in primary and middle-school education, ahead of states like Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi.
According to him, quality education is the strongest tool to remove poverty and backwardness from society. Mann said better schools and improved learning opportunities would help young people build successful futures.
The chief minister stated that his government regularly takes feedback from citizens before making policies. He said the administration wants to create “people-friendly” policies that solve real problems faced by ordinary families.
Mann accused opposition parties of spreading what he called false and negative propaganda against the government. He claimed that rival parties were trying to mislead people because they were worried about the growing popularity of the AAP government in Punjab.
He also spoke about the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Mann said the law was being appreciated by Punjabis living not only in the state but also abroad.
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The chief minister criticised Akali leaders who opposed the bill. He alleged that some leaders were uncomfortable with stricter accountability in sacrilege-related cases. According to Mann, the legislation was introduced to ensure greater respect and protection for religious scriptures.
Without naming individual leaders, he claimed that some opposition politicians feared action if investigations into earlier sacrilege incidents moved forward.
Mann also criticised the Congress party and described it as deeply divided because of internal fights and leadership ambitions. He said Congress leaders were more focused on personal power struggles than on public welfare.
According to him, people in Punjab already know the “reality” of Congress leaders and would not easily trust them again. He added that despite Congress hoping to return to power, voters were now more aware of the party’s past record.
The chief minister said his government was committed to transparency and honest governance. He claimed that unlike earlier governments, the present administration was trying to use public funds properly for development projects and welfare schemes.
At the Lok Milni programme, Mann interacted with local residents and listened to their concerns. He said direct communication with people helps the government understand local problems more clearly.
He promised that development work in villages and towns would continue at a faster pace. The ₹50 lakh announced for Manki village, he said, would be used for projects that improve public facilities and local infrastructure.
Mann concluded his speech by saying that Punjab’s future depends on honest politics, strong education and development-focused governance. He urged people to remain united and support policies that strengthen the state socially and economically.
The chief minister also repeated that his government would continue focusing on schools, hospitals, jobs and welfare programmes rather than political confrontation. According to him, Punjab needs progress and stability instead of old-style politics based on division and rivalry.
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