Chandigarh, August 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Saturday accused opposition parties of resorting to “mudslinging” and “baseless allegations” against Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and those associated with him, claiming they had no answer to the work undertaken by the state government over the past four-and-a-half years.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said people could see and experience the government’s work and that allegations by opposition leaders could not alter the situation on the ground.
He cited canal irrigation as one of the government’s major achievements, claiming that the share of agricultural land receiving canal water had increased from about 21 per cent when the Mann government assumed office to nearly 80 per cent. He questioned where Punjab’s water had gone during the preceding 45 years and alleged that water had been supplied free to other states under various arrangements.
Pannu also highlighted the government’s work in education and healthcare. He claimed Punjab had moved ahead of Kerala in education rankings and pointed to the establishment of Mohalla Clinics, improvements in hospitals, free medicines and tests, and cashless healthcare coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per person.
He said the government had continued providing 600 units of free electricity every two months to households, while women were receiving Rs 1,000 per month in the general category and Rs 1,500 for women from the Scheduled Caste community under the Maavan-Dheeyan Satkar scheme. He claimed nearly 80 lakh registrations had been made under the scheme.
Pannu also cited the functioning of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF) as evidence of the government’s work in road safety.
He alleged that traditional political parties had come together after the emergence of the AAP because they had no positive agenda for Punjab. According to him, opposition leaders were increasingly targeting the Chief Minister, his family and people around him after failing to challenge the government’s performance.
On allegations concerning Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Ghuman, Pannu questioned the public presentation of an Enforcement Directorate letter by SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia. He said Ghuman had issued a legal notice seeking evidence for the allegations and asserted that those making such claims would have to substantiate them.
Pannu also criticised allegations made by Ranjit Singh, brother-in-law of Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira, against the Chief Minister’s wife, saying serious allegations should not be made without evidence.
Taking aim at Khaira, Pannu accused the Congress leader of regularly spreading “negativity” and claimed people had become tired of such politics.
He said legal notices had been issued in connection with some of the allegations and warned that individuals making unsubstantiated claims could face legal consequences if they failed to provide evidence.
Pannu further claimed that farmers were receiving daytime power supply and that increased availability of canal water had contributed to improvements in Punjab’s groundwater situation. He said information on the issue had also been presented in Parliament.
“The people of Punjab know the difference between a government that works and parties that only make allegations,” Pannu said, adding that the Mann government would remain focused on development despite criticism from opposition parties.
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