Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says opposition wants power to loot the state again

At a Lok Milni event in Bathinda, Bhagwant Mann accused the BJP, Congress and SAD of defaming him and eyeing power. He cast the attack as a battle between opposition alliances and his government's welfare agenda.Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann (Photo: PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday accused opposition leaders of trying to defame him and looking for an opportunity "to loot Punjab once again after years of filling their own coffers". Speaking at a "Lok Milni" programme at Ghudda village in Bathinda, he said his rivals were troubled because his government was spending money on the welfare of people.Mann also targeted the BJP, the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, alleging that the opposition had a "dubious track record of working against Punjab and its people". He said the BJP and the SAD, former allies, were once again moving towards an alliance, and added that while some leaders belonged to the "Modi quota" and others to the "Rahul Gandhi quota", he alone belonged to the people's quota.Attacking the BJP, Mann said, "The BJP has always adopted an anti-Punjab mindset and treated the state unfairly on issues concerning its rights and interests." He listed Panjab University, Chandigarh, the Bhakra Beas Management Board, the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal, the Harike canal, Republic Day tableaux, Rural Development Funds and border area funds as issues on which, he alleged, the party had treated Punjab unfairly. He further alleged, "The hands of the BJP are drenched with the blood of more than 700 farmers of Punjab who attained martyrdom while protesting against the draconian farm laws. The people of Punjab will never forget this."Referring to the Congress, Mann said it was "the same party which had rolled tanks into Sri Akal Takht Sahib". He claimed that despite being in power in Punjab, the Congress did nothing to check the spread of drugs during its tenure and failed to punish those responsible for sacrilege incidents in the state. "The Congress has no moral right to seek the trust of Punjabis," he said, adding that Punjab could not forget this history. Taking a dig at the SAD, Mann said, "The Akali Dal is now begging for an alliance with the BJP only because it wants to return to power." He added, "There is no ideology, no vision for Punjab and no concern for the people behind this alliance. Their only objective is to grab power." Lashing out at SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mann claimed he had lived "in a secure environment surrounded by luxury" and did not understand the ground realities of Punjab. He said Badal did not know the state's basic topography and had little understanding of the issues faced by farmers.Mann also took a jibe at the "infighting" in the Congress, saying that while its leaders were fighting among themselves for power, his government was working for the well-being of the people. "The fight of AAP is for quality education, good healthcare, employment and welfare of the people. Our fight is to improve the lives of Punjabis," he said. At the programme, Mann used his address to attack the BJP, the Congress and the SAD, while presenting his government as focused on public welfare and basic services. - EndsWith PTI inputsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 6, 2026 23:13 IST