Mann targets Congress, SAD, BJP, says Punjab will reject them in 2027

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched a broadside against the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, alleging that opposition parties were uncomfortable with the AAP government’s welfare programmes because public resources were now being channelled directly towards people.

Addressing a Lok Milni at Badmajra village in Mohali, Mann claimed successive governments had changed over several decades without substantially improving the lives of ordinary Punjabis. He said his administration had sought to change that approach through spending on electricity, education, healthcare, employment and infrastructure.

Mann also dismissed suggestions that welfare programmes could be withdrawn if another party came to power, asserting that voters would neither permit the schemes to be discontinued nor give the traditional parties another opportunity to govern Punjab.

‘Era of musical chairs over’

The chief minister accused the Congress and Akali Dal of operating a system in which they alternated in power while avoiding scrutiny of each other.

“Gone are the days when these parties used to play musical chairs and wait for their turn of power,” he said, alleging that the arrangement allowed wrongdoing to remain unexposed.

Mann said AAP’s election had disrupted this political cycle and claimed the party was working to “cleanse” Punjab’s political system.

Predicting a strong verdict against the opposition in the 2027 Assembly elections, he said voters would punish the Congress, Akalis and BJP for what he described as their “anti-Punjab stance”.

Attacks Sukhbir Badal

Mann reserved some of his sharpest criticism for SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, accusing him of being disconnected from ordinary people and unfamiliar with Punjab’s ground realities.

He also targeted the Akali Dal over moves towards rebuilding its relationship with the BJP, alleging that the party was seeking an alliance primarily to return to power.

The chief minister claimed Punjab’s voters would see through such political manoeuvring.

Referring to the state’s long-running drug problem, Mann blamed previous governments for failing Punjab’s youth and alleged that the traditional parties could again misuse power if returned to office.

Takes swipe at Congress

Turning to the Congress, Mann sought to portray the party as internally divided and more preoccupied with leadership battles than providing an alternative agenda for Punjab.

He alleged that its leaders were fighting among themselves for political power and claimed the party lacked a coherent vision for the state.

Mann described the Congress and Akali Dal as “termites” that had weakened Punjab over the decades, while alleging that leaders of the two parties were reluctant to attack each other but routinely targeted him because his government had challenged their political interests.

Defends welfare model

Mann used the public interaction to highlight his government’s record, particularly its initiatives in education and other public services.

In a social media post following the programme, he said the support received from residents strengthened his resolve and reiterated that governments should be judged by their work in health, education, employment and development rather than by their hold on political power.

With the 2027 Assembly election approaching, Mann’s remarks signalled an intensification of AAP’s campaign to frame the contest as a choice between its welfare-oriented governance model and parties that dominated Punjab politics before its rise.