Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday accused the Congress and BJP of playing a "friendly match" to remove him from office, alleging that opposition parties were threatening to discontinue welfare schemes because they were uncomfortable with the growing empowerment of ordinary people.
Addressing a Lok Milni programme at Sarinh village in the Nakodar constituency of Jalandhar district, Mann claimed that previous governments had misused public resources to serve their political interests, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration was ensuring that government funds reached ordinary households.
"Their real problem is the rise of the common man because they cannot digest the fact that a person from an ordinary family is sitting in the chief minister's chair," Mann said.
He maintained that his government's priorities remained focused on public welfare, transparent governance and the economic empowerment of women.
๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Attacking the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Chief Minister alleged that the opposition parties were attempting to create uncertainty over welfare programmes rather than acknowledging their benefits.
"It is unfortunate that these parties are threatening to discontinue welfare schemes instead of appreciating initiatives that provide relief to ordinary families," he said.
Mann claimed that the Congress and BJP were avoiding criticism of each other because they shared the objective of dislodging his government.
"The Congress and the BJP are playing a friendly match with the sole motive of dislodging me from office," he alleged.
According to Mann, the two parties' alleged political understanding reflected their discomfort with the emergence of leaders from ordinary backgrounds.
"They want to remove me because our government has challenged the old system in which political power remained concentrated in the hands of a few influential families," he asserted.
๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป'๐ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐
Reiterating his government's commitment to the welfare and economic empowerment of women, Mann said public money must be used to improve the lives of citizens rather than advance the interests of political leaders.
"Our intentions are clear, and our policies are aimed at returning public money to the people through welfare-oriented and development-driven initiatives," he said.
Referring to the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojna, the Chief Minister announced that financial assistance would again be provided to eligible women on November 1.
"We believe that public money belongs to the people and must be spent on their welfare. On November 1, financial assistance will once again reach our mothers and sisters," he said.
Mann alleged that previous administrations had "plundered" public resources, whereas his government was working to ensure that welfare benefits reached families without discrimination.
He asserted that Punjab's residents would resist any attempt to withdraw schemes from which they were benefiting.
๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฌ,๐ด๐ฒ๐ฎ ๐ด๐ผ๐๐ ๐ท๐ผ๐ฏ๐
Highlighting his administration's record, Mann claimed that 70,862 government jobs had been provided to young people during more than four-and-a-half years of AAP rule.
"In over four-and-a-half years, we have provided 70,862 government jobs to young people, purely on merit and without favouritism," he said.
The Chief Minister maintained that the recruitment process had been conducted transparently and that his government was committed to expanding employment opportunities for Punjab's youth.
๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ณ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐น๐น๐
Referring to the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, Mann said the public would ultimately decide the political future of the state.
"The overwhelming response of the people reflects their confidence in our government's work and their aspirations for Punjab's future. The ultimate verdict will be delivered by the people through their votes," he said.
The Chief Minister maintained that his administration would continue pursuing welfare and development programmes, asserting that political opposition would not deter it from implementing its commitments.
His allegations against the Congress, BJP and SAD were political claims made during the public programme.