Ludhiana, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday launched the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) election pamphlet in Ludhiana and said lakhs of party workers would take it door-to-door as part of the statewide campaign.
Addressing the gathering, Mann targeted the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, claiming that a return of these parties to power would put at risk initiatives related to free electricity, canal water for farmers, daytime power supply, government jobs, healthcare, education and social security. These remarks were part of Mann’s political address and reflect the AAP’s campaign position.
Mann highlighted his government’s claims of shutting 19 toll plazas, saving more than 2,700 lives through the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF) and purchasing thermal power plants. He said the party would take its work directly to voters and seek feedback on what more needed to be done.
On agriculture, Mann emphasised the need to reduce dependence on groundwater and expand canal irrigation. He said around 14,000 km of pipelines had been laid for water distribution and claimed that villages were reporting improvements in groundwater levels following the laying of canal-water pipelines.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the AAP government’s 2022 decision to provide 300 units of free electricity to eligible households and referred to the acquisition of the Goindwal Sahib thermal power plant. He said coal from the Pachhwara coal mine in Jharkhand had strengthened Punjab’s power position.
On employment, Mann claimed that his government had provided around 71,000 government jobs through what he described as transparent and merit-based recruitment. He said young employees had told him they secured government employment without paying bribes.
Mann also spoke about Punjab’s cultural and sporting identity, saying the state should focus on strengthening its own economic, cultural and sporting character rather than attempting to imitate other places. He highlighted the ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ initiative and its participation across generations.
On welfare measures, Mann said women belonging to Scheduled Caste communities were receiving Rs 1,500 under the applicable scheme, while also referring to the AAP’s proposed assistance for eligible women.
Mann criticised the opposition parties and said they should present their own programmes to the people instead of focusing only on criticism of the state government.
He also condemned the attack on SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at Hazur Sahib, saying violence had no place in a democracy or society. He further said religious faith and politics should not be mixed for political convenience.
Referring to his government’s experience in administration, Mann urged voters not to change what he described as a government addressing Punjab’s problems. He also highlighted education reforms and Punjab’s preparations to host the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026.
The Chief Minister warned people about misleading digital content and said political campaigns could increasingly use fake videos and social media material.
Recalling the AAP’s political journey, Mann claimed that Punjab’s education performance had improved from 27th position to first in the country under his government. He said the next phase of the campaign would focus on agriculture, youth, education, employment, healthcare, infrastructure, sports and welfare.
AAP Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia said the party needed to return Bhagwant Mann as Chief Minister and alleged that central agencies had been used to obstruct the Punjab government. He also praised the state government’s record and said AAP workers would campaign door-to-door.
AAP Punjab President Aman Arora also praised the Mann government’s performance and claimed that people wanted Bhagwant Mann to return as Chief Minister. He cited free electricity and government jobs among the initiatives of the government.
The election pamphlet launched at the event contains a series of claims and warnings directed at voters considering the Congress, Akali Dal or BJP. It alleges that these parties would end or roll back several welfare and public-service measures, including free electricity, Aam Aadmi Clinics, canal-water initiatives, daytime agricultural power supply, health coverage, pilgrimages and pensions.
The pamphlet also makes claims about the BJP-Akali Dal alliance, including allegations concerning farm laws, Punjab’s water, Chandigarh and Panjab University. It further accuses previous governments of corruption, unemployment, drug-related problems and poor public infrastructure. These are campaign allegations contained in the AAP pamphlet and have not been independently established in the supplied material.
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