Samrala, May 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday launched a blistering political offensive against the BJP, Akali Dal and Congress, pointing out that these traditional political parties betrayed Punjab for decades through divisive politics, anti-Punjab decisions and corruption, while warning that the BJP would once again impose the black farm laws if voted to power in the state.
During Lok Milni at village Manki in Samrala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the BJP had exposed its anti-Punjab mindset by making Sanskrit compulsory and Punjabi optional in Army schools, and pointed out that the party thrives on creating communal tensions before elections to polarise voters.
Reminding people of the deaths of hundreds of farmers during the farm laws agitation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann questioned how the BJP could still seek votes in Punjab after “sacrificing farmers at the borders”, while asserting that unlike previous governments, the AAP Government was returning public money back to people through welfare schemes, jobs, education, healthcare and development works. He also granted ₹50 lakh for development projects in the village.
Addressing a gathering during Lok Milni in Samrala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab must remain alert against divisive and anti-Punjab forces that are continuously attempting to destabilise the state politically, socially and economically.
“The BJP has an anti-Punjab mindset and making Punjabi an optional subject while making Sanskrit compulsory in Army schools in Punjab is a reflection of this mentality. BJP has always treated Punjab unfairly,” he added.
The Chief Minister pointed out, “Whether it is the issue of Panjab University, Chandigarh, BBMB, the SYL canal, the Harike canal, Republic Day tableaux, RDF funds or border area funds, Punjab has consistently faced injustice at the hands of BJP.”
He said the BJP has always pursued politics of riots and division and called upon the people to give a befitting reply to forces trying to create instability in Punjab ahead of the upcoming elections. “Some political parties in Punjab are trying to divide people in the name of religion.
BJP’s politics revolves around creating divisions between communities and then frightening both sides for votes. Punjab has already seen dark days in the past which derailed the development of the state, and therefore people must outrightly reject such forces,” he added.
Urging people to remain united, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said his government has worked tirelessly for the all-round development of Punjab and unlike previous rulers, he has never misused public money for personal comfort.
“I have not taken even a single penny from the public exchequer for myself. Every rupee of taxpayers’ money is being spent judiciously for public welfare. Being your son and brother, I have always focused on sharing your pain and hardships rather than living a life of luxury like previous rulers,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted earlier governments remained confined behind the walls of their palatial residences and never bothered to directly interact with people regarding their problems. “No previous ruler ever came among people in this manner to listen to their grievances and resolve them with commitment.
Those arrogant politicians remained disconnected from the public and today they are baffled by every pro-people initiative being taken by the Punjab Government,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said his government continuously takes feedback from people while framing citizen-centric and development-oriented policies.
“The opposition is trying to mislead people by spreading fake and derogatory narratives, but Punjabis are wise enough to understand the dubious and treacherous character of these leaders. These cheap theatrics cannot stop me from serving Punjab till my last breath,” he added.
Launching a sharp attack on opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said they have no agenda against the Punjab Government because the government has taken several historic decisions for public welfare. Slamming the Akali Dal, he said the party had deeply bruised the psyche of Punjabis through incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
“Every vote cast for Akalis will be a mandate in favour of sacrilege of Guru and Gurbani. They disrespected the bani of the great Gurus and ordered firing on innocent people in Behbal Kalan and Bargadi. They also showed grave disrespect to Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
Referring to Sukhbir Badal’s claims regarding development during Akali rule, the Chief Minister said Akali leaders conveniently ignore the painful incidents of Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and Bargadi where sacrilege incidents took place and innocent people lost their lives. “Akalis mercilessly plundered Punjab, emotionally hurt Punjabis and patronised mafias across the state. Every vote to Akalis will be a mandate in favour of sacrilege,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Akali leadership can never be forgiven because it patronised the drug trade during its tenure, destroying generations of Punjab’s youth. “These people are responsible for the genocide of several generations because drugs flourished under their protection during their long era of misrule,” he added.
Highlighting the passage of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government had unanimously passed a historic law ensuring stricter punishment for sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.
“We are fortunate that Waheguru bestowed upon us the responsibility to pass this historic Act unanimously. This law will ensure that nobody dares to commit sacrilege in future. Anyone found guilty of this unpardonable crime will face exemplary punishment and will not be spared at any cost,” he said.
The Chief Minister said people from across the globe are calling every day to appreciate and thank the Punjab Government for bringing this legislation.
Attacking the Akali leadership again, he said certain leaders opposing the law were doing so because they knew their masters would eventually have to face accountability for their involvement in sacrilege incidents. “These opportunist leaders change their colours and stand according to their convenience and vested political interests, just like a chameleon.
The cronies of the Badal family are opposing this Act because they know their masters will have to face the consequences of their actions,” he said. He further said the hands of the Badal family were stained with the blood of patriots and their betrayal of Punjab’s interests can never be forgotten.
Turning his attack towards Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said every Congress leader wanted to become Chief Minister and the party had more CM aspirants than ordinary workers. “Congress is a divided house and its internal infighting will destroy it. Their leaders are daydreaming about coming to power, but Punjabis are fully aware of their reality,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the tax money collected from people belongs to the people and the Punjab Government is spending it honestly on welfare initiatives. “People’s money is now being returned to people through development, schools, hospitals and roads. Ninety percent of households are receiving free electricity.
More than 65,000 youth have got government jobs without corruption. Roads are improving, toll plazas have been shut saving ₹70 lakh daily and infrastructure is being strengthened across Punjab,” he said.
He said when the present government assumed office, only 22% canal water was being used for irrigation in Punjab, but now it has increased to more than 80%. “The AAP Government has laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses across Punjab.
Around 21,000 cusecs of water has been released through these channels to benefit farmers and fulfil irrigation needs. This is equivalent to the water supplied by two Bhakra canals,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said recharge points had also been developed in canals and rivers to improve groundwater levels. “The water table has increased by two to four metres due to these efforts. Punjab means water and without water there can be no Punjab. These initiatives are aimed at securing the future of coming generations,” he said.
The Chief Minister asserted that freebies and concession cards alone cannot eradicate poverty permanently and only education can truly transform society. “Education is the key to ending poverty and social backwardness. It raises the standard of living and empowers future generations,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the AAP Government in education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one rank in primary and middle-school education.
“For the last four years, our government has focused on teacher training, modern teaching methods and smart classrooms. Punjab has strengthened its education system and today NITI Aayog’s figures show that Punjab has overtaken Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to become number one in school education,” he said.
The Chief Minister said education is the light that removes darkness from society and therefore the AAP Government is giving top priority to the sector. “Earlier Kerala was at the top, but now Punjab has secured the number one rank with a huge margin and we will continue making further improvements,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said the AAP Government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. “Every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh under the scheme. More than 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards and around 1.65 lakh people have availed free treatment,” he said.
The Chief Minister urged people to take maximum benefit of the scheme and said for the first time in Punjab’s history, uninterrupted electricity supply exceeding eight hours was being provided to agricultural tube wells during the paddy season. “Farmers are now receiving daytime electricity for irrigation for the first time, which has transformed their lives,” he added.
Talking about the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government has started providing ₹1,000 per month to women from other categories families and ₹1,500 per month to SC category women above the age of 18 years.
“This Lok Milni is not a political event but a platform to directly interact with people. Governments came and went in Punjab but none cared about public welfare. Previous parties only played musical chairs while looting Punjab’s wealth. Then Punjabis voted for the broom and transformed schools, hospitals and governance,” he said.
The Chief Minister said Akali leaders are once again asking people for one opportunity despite already receiving five chances from Punjabis in the past. “Instead of serving people, they looted Punjab and therefore Punjabis showed them the door. Their only aim is to return to power so that they can once again plunder the wealth of Punjab,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said such leaders are concerned only about their families and personal interests rather than Punjab and its people. “These opportunist leaders are frustrated because people are no longer responding to them. They were never loyal to Punjab and have always betrayed the interests of the state,” he added.
The Chief Minister also announced that the AAP Government has taken a historic decision to shift high-tension electricity wires passing through agricultural fields underground. He said the pilot project would begin from his native village Satauj.
“This initiative will eliminate risks to human life, prevent crop damage and remove obstacles in agricultural operations. Our objective is to empower farmers, conserve natural resources and build a prosperous and sustainable Punjab,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
Speaking about Punjab’s traditional rural sports culture, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Kila Raipur Rural Games have earned worldwide recognition as the ‘Mini Olympics’ and bullock cart races were once a major attraction there.
“On July 11, 2025, the Punjab Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025, which paved the way for revival of traditional rural sports like bullock cart races. After 2014, this year these races once again became a major attraction,” he said.
The Chief Minister further said the AAP Government would dedicate 3,100 newly-built stadiums across Punjab by July 15 to encourage youth participation in sports and eliminate the menace of drugs. “Sports culture is the strongest weapon in the fight against drugs. When youth participate in sports, their energy is channelised towards achievement and excellence.
Youngsters involved in sports do not even have time to look towards drugs because they remain focused on excelling in their respective fields. This will help eradicate the menace of drugs and make youth equal partners in Punjab’s socio-economic development,” he added.
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