AAP will return to power in Punjab in 2027, says Mann, targets Congress, Akalis and BJP

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday expressed confidence that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would return to power in the 2027 Assembly elections, asserting that the people would reject the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP for what he described as decades of neglect and misgovernance.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a rural sports ground at Shahpur village in the Amloh Assembly constituency of Fatehgarh Sahib district, Mann said his government was committed to accelerating Punjab's development through welfare schemes, employment generation, improved healthcare and infrastructure expansion.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated 1,000 additional 'Pendu Khed Maidan' (rural sports grounds) across the state, taking the total to 1,764 against a target of 3,100.

Describing the initiative as a major step towards encouraging young people to participate in sports and stay away from drugs, Mann said the government was creating opportunities for rural youth to develop into international-level athletes.

"This is a major step towards connecting our youth with sports and keeping them away from drugs," he said.

𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵

Mann said his government had prioritised free electricity, healthcare, women's financial empowerment and infrastructure development, asserting that public welfare benefits were being extended without discrimination.

Declaring that the entire state was his family, he said the government's initiatives were intended to improve living standards across Punjab.

The Chief Minister also outlined his vision of making Punjab free of electricity poles by shifting overhead power lines underground.

"Our government has both the will and intent to ensure the holistic development of Punjab. There is no shortage of funds for development and public welfare," Mann said.

"The government's coffers are never empty, but the previous governments lacked intent. We have significantly pushed for development across the state and will leave no stone unturned to accelerate this progress with the wholehearted support and cooperation of the people," he added.

He accused previous governments of failing to provide adequate grants to villages or undertake development projects, particularly those aimed at strengthening rural sports infrastructure.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

Launching a sharp attack on the Congress, SAD and BJP, Mann alleged that the traditional political parties had repeatedly failed to address the concerns of ordinary Punjabis.

"These traditional political parties have become political deadwood and have repeatedly been rejected by the people of Punjab. For decades, they remained in power but failed to address the problems of ordinary people. Their only objective was to exploit Punjab's resources and plunder the hard-earned money of the people for their vested political interests," he said.

He asserted that voters had not forgotten the record of previous governments and predicted that the opposition parties would face another defeat in 2027.

Taking a swipe at politicians switching parties ahead of elections, Mann said, "These political turncoats have put even chameleons to shame by changing their colours so frequently."

He alleged that such leaders were driven by the pursuit of political power rather than ideology or public welfare.

The Chief Minister also criticised the Akali leadership over the possibility of renewing its alliance with the BJP.

He said Akali leaders who had earlier accused the BJP of interfering in Sikh religious affairs at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Delhi and Haryana were now seeking to revive their political partnership.

Mann maintained that the people would reject both parties if they contested the next Assembly elections together.

He also dismissed Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi's proposed cycle yatra as a political gimmick, claiming it lacked a constructive agenda for Punjab.

𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Highlighting his government's employment initiatives, Mann claimed that more than 71,000 government jobs had been provided to eligible young people through a transparent recruitment process.

He further said investments attracted to Punjab had generated more than six lakh employment opportunities.

"We have provided more than 71,000 government jobs to eligible youth through a completely transparent recruitment process. At the same time, investments attracted into Punjab have generated more than six lakh employment opportunities. Our objective is to create sufficient opportunities for our youngsters in Punjab itself so that they do not have to leave their homeland in search of a better future," he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that his government would continue expanding employment opportunities, rural infrastructure and welfare programmes, expressing confidence that its development record would secure another mandate for the AAP in 2027.