Chawinda Devi, August 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accusing its leadership of being “on its knees” to forge an alliance with the BJP and return to power in Punjab.
Addressing a Lok Milni programme at Chawinda Devi in Amritsar’s Majitha constituency, Mann alleged that the people of Punjab would never forgive the previous SAD-BJP government for what he described as its role in pushing the state into the drug crisis and “ruining” generations of youth. His remarks came amid speculation over a possible alliance between the SAD and BJP ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Mann also criticised the Akali leadership over the sacrilege issue and the attack on former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. He alleged that the previous government had failed to ensure accountability and accused the Akalis of resorting to “cheap politics”.
“Punjabis will send the Akalis and BJP into political oblivion due to their sins against the state and its people,” Mann said, while claiming that Majitha was ready to write a new political chapter.
The Chief Minister highlighted his government’s record on employment and said more than 70,000 government jobs had been provided on merit, with “no cash, no farmaish” (no bribe, no recommendation). He also claimed that government schools had undergone a major transformation, with students now qualifying for competitive examinations such as JEE and NEET.
Mann said more than 90 per cent of households in Punjab were receiving free electricity and claimed that farmers were being supplied power during the daytime. He also highlighted road, healthcare, education, sports and irrigation projects undertaken by his government.
On healthcare, Mann referred to the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, under which the state government has announced cashless treatment coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh for eligible resident families.
He also highlighted the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, under which eligible women receive Rs 1,000 per month and eligible Scheduled Caste women Rs 1,500. The scheme has an allocation of Rs 9,300 crore and is expected to cover around 97 per cent of women in Punjab.
Mann said the government was also focusing on canal irrigation, village development, sports infrastructure and road upgrades, claiming that canal water had reached thousands of villages that previously lacked access.
During the Lok Milni programme, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 58 lakh for development works in the area.
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