NEW DELHI: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday alleged that the Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and BJP had nothing constructive to offer the people of the state. He accused his opposition of prioritising political power and personal interests over public welfare.Addressing a gathering in Punjab, Mann said people had witnessed the difference between self-serving politics and development-driven governance. He also expressed confidence that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would get another opportunity to govern the state in 2027.Taking aim at the Akali Dal, Mann alleged that the party had failed to answer for the painful incidents of sacrilege and had been reduced to the Badal family and a handful of close associates. He described the Congress as a “divided house”, where leaders were constantly at loggerheads with one another.“These political parties are hand in glove with each other, with their sole agenda being to grab power and protect their vested interests,” he alleged.Mann said people had trusted his government so far and expressed hope that they would continue to support it. “The people have witnessed the difference between politics driven by personal interests and governance driven by public welfare. They have trusted me so far, and I hope they will continue to repose their faith in me in the future as well,” he said.The chief minister also highlighted the government’s Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, under which Rs 1,291 crore was transferred to the bank accounts of more than 37.43 lakh beneficiaries.
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He said more than 80 lakh women had registered for the scheme as of October 29. The government is working towards its target of covering one crore women, he added.Mann said the scheme had no restrictive household-based conditions and that every eligible woman was entitled to financial assistance. He claimed it would provide Rs 12,000 crore in assistance annually, making it one of the country’s most significant initiatives for women’s financial empowerment.Expressing confidence in the AAP’s prospects, Mann said voters would reject the opposition’s campaign and back the government’s work.“I am confident that the people of Punjab will give a befitting reply to the misleading propaganda of opposition parties by supporting the politics of development, transparency and public welfare,” he said.
