Chandigarh, September 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Thursday hit back at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over allegations targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his family, with AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu accusing the Akali leadership of resorting to “character assassination” instead of addressing the performance of the state government.
Pannu said the allegations being circulated against the Chief Minister and his family were based on unverified material, adding that neither the alleged audio recordings nor the claims surrounding them had been independently established.
“Character assassination has become their only political weapon because they have no answer to the work being done by the Bhagwant Mann government,” Pannu said.
Questioning the Akali leadership’s alleged links with individuals whose names have figured in the controversy, Pannu asked why those who claimed to know them well were approaching the Governor instead of explaining their own associations.
“If you know these people so well, then why this entire drama of going to the Governor? Why not first answer the questions about your own associations?” he asked.
Pannu Displays Photographs of Political Leaders
Pannu displayed a series of photographs at a press conference, claiming they showed political and social proximity between individuals being discussed in the controversy and leaders of the BJP and SAD.
He showed photographs purportedly featuring Amardeep Grewal with BJP leaders, including J.P. Nadda, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Ravneet Singh Bittu.
He also displayed photographs purportedly showing Guri Chahal with SAD leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia, including images from family and social functions. Pannu also referred to photographs of Hundal with Akali leaders.
“These photographs are important because the same political ecosystem is now being presented as a source of allegations against the Mann family. The people of Punjab should see these photographs and decide for themselves who is politically connected to whom,” he said.
Pannu Questions Majithia Over Satta-Pindi Links, Wealth
Pannu also targeted Bikram Singh Majithia, questioning him over what he described as his association with Satta and Pindi.
“What relationship did these individuals have with you and the Akali leadership? In what capacity did they have access to your homes and political circles? Instead of pointing fingers at others, you should first answer these questions about your own associations,” he said.
Pannu further questioned Majithia’s rise in wealth, asking how his business interests had expanded so significantly.
“When you came to Punjab, you had a broken Qualis. How did you become so wealthy within a few years? How did your business empire expand so dramatically? Where did this money come from?” he asked.
AAP Targets Akalis Over 2007-17 Record
Pannu also attacked the previous SAD-led government, saying people had not forgotten what he termed the “2007 to 2017 Jungle Raj”.
He alleged that people associated with the drug trade had enjoyed political proximity with Akali leaders and said the opposition had no moral authority to lecture others on governance.
“The people who brought the drug menace to a level where an entire generation suffered are today standing in front of the people and asking questions,” he said.
Pannu Highlights Mann Government’s Work
Pannu claimed the opposition was resorting to personal attacks because it had no answer to the work undertaken by the Bhagwant Mann government.
He cited free electricity of up to 600 units per household, expansion of canal irrigation, a ₹10 lakh cashless healthcare scheme, improvements in public transport and the transformation of government schools and hospitals as examples of the government’s work.
Pannu particularly highlighted the expansion of canal irrigation, claiming that the use of canal water had increased from 21 per cent to 80 per cent under the Mann government.
“Those who previously claimed to be ‘Punjab de Pania de Rakhe’ should explain where Punjab’s water was going during their governments. Today, canal irrigation has expanded substantially and the people can see the difference,” he said.
Pannu said the opposition could not erase its own record by repeatedly targeting the Chief Minister and his family.
“No amount of character assassination can hide the work of the Bhagwant Mann government,” he said, urging people to examine the political associations highlighted by the AAP and judge the competing claims for themselves.
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