NANGAL-Amid an aggressive push to transform Nangal into a hub of modern infrastructure, skill development and tourism, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann rolled out a ₹75 crore development package, anchored by North India’s first Glass Bridge, a ₹23 crore Centre of Excellence named after Kargil martyr Captain Amol Kalia, and major upgrades in education infrastructure.
Declaring these initiatives as a decisive break from years of stagnation, the Chief Minister outlined a governance model that combines industry-aligned skill training in cutting-edge fields such as Robotics, Electric Vehicles, Solar Technology and Drone Training, expanded access to technical education including for women, and large-scale water augmentation equivalent to the Bhakra Canal to strengthen Punjab’s agrarian backbone.
Positioning the development push alongside a political contrast, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that those who presided over the rise of the drug trade and weakened Punjab’s social fabric can never be forgiven, stating that the people of the state have moved decisively towards a model of honest governance focused on jobs, education and infrastructure.
After dedicating development works worth ₹75 crore to the people, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The Akalis should be booked for the genocide of generations as the drug trade was patronised by them and flourished during their long misrule. The hands of these leaders are drenched with the blood of millions of youth who fell prey to drugs supplied in the state in their official vehicles. These sins are unpardonable and they can never be forgiven by the people for their long saga of misdeeds.”
Coming down heavily on the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “These are opportunist leaders who change their colours and stance like a chameleon as per their convenience and vested political interests. They have long fooled people by calling themselves farmers, but can they explain how any food grower acquires a huge fleet of buses and a lavish hotel in Gurgaon? All this has been accumulated by selling the interests of the state and its people for their vested political gains.”
The Punjab CM continued, “Sukhbir Singh Badal has lost his base among the masses and paid workers are being used to show crowds in rallies. In every Akali rally, the same crowd is present. Baffled by the unprecedented work done by the state government, he is making baseless and irrational statements. On the basis of such statements, the former Deputy Chief Minister is daydreaming about returning to power, which will never be possible.”
Referring to past incidents, he recalled, “The former Deputy Chief Minister claims massive development during their regime but turns a blind eye to Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and other places where ‘beadbi' (sacrilege) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place and innocents were killed. All of this happened under their regime. They have forgotten these ‘beadbi’ incidents and believe that people will forget them too, but people will not forget. Their family was complicit. Their ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’ is actually a ‘Parivar Bachao Yatra’. After looting the state for 15 years, they must explain whom they are trying to save Punjab from. The Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly, bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally and patronised several mafias.”
“People are well aware of the dubious character of the Akalis and the Badal family, so their theatrics will not work anymore. Those leaders at whose residences canals used to stop earlier never cared about it. Sukhbir Singh Badal is a convent-educated leader who is unaware of the basic topography of Punjab but wants to rule the state, ” the Punjab CM added.
Taking aim at broader political claims, he shared, “Those who claimed to be saviours of ‘pani’ (water) destroyed it, and those who projected themselves as sewadars of ‘bani’ failed to stop desecration. In the same way, a master of phraseology running the country has misled people throughout his tenure. The ₹15 lakh promised in every account has still not come, and people, especially women, have suffered due to unplanned policies.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In Congress, every leader wants to become Chief Minister. They have more chief ministerial faces than workers. That is why their top leader publicly snubbed them in a recent rally. The Congress is a divided house that will collapse due to internal infighting, even as its leaders continue to daydream about returning to power.”
Pointing to leadership issues, he continued, “It is unfortunate that top Congress leaders who come to unite their squabbling state leaders do not even know how to pronounce their names. These leaders have no vision for Punjab. Their only aim is to loot the state’s wealth by coming to power, but their dreams will never be fulfilled. Earlier these traditional parties waited for their turn to capture power, but now the broom is here to clean the mess created by them.”
Striking an emotional chord, he expressed, “Nangal is a sacred land and I feel fortunate to serve its people. It is surprising that due to failures of previous regimes, people living along the Satluj were deprived of water for drinking and agriculture. For the first time, water resources are being channelised properly in the state. Bhakra Canal has a capacity of 9, 500 cusecs, but through our efforts, supply has been enhanced to 11, 000 cusecs. In a way, we have created a new Bhakra canal without acquiring even an inch of land. For the first time in Punjab’s history, every single drop of water is being accounted for.”
Announcing projects in Nangal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Today is a historic day as several major development projects are being dedicated. The foundation stone of Captain Amol Kalia Centre of Excellence has been laid at a cost of ₹23 crore. The martyr laid down his life at the age of 25 during the Kargil War, and the entire nation is proud of this brave son of Nangal. ₹23 crore will be spent on this institution which will train 540 students. Courses have been designed as per industry needs including Robotics, Electric Vehicle Technology, Solar Technician and 3D Printing. New courses like Civil Aviation, Air Hostess Training and Drone Technology will also be introduced.”
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia stated, “The massive response reflects people’s love for AAP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and cabinet minister Harjot Singh Bains. AAP was formed not just to change governments but to transform the system, which is why Punjab is progressing rapidly, especially in education and health. Opposition parties, rattled by this progress, tried to trap us in false cases, but court acquittals have proven our honesty. If Congress, Akalis or BJP return to power, they will end these public welfare schemes.”
Earlier, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “This assembly segment has witnessed holistic development in every sphere, benefiting residents immensely. These historic initiatives will further accelerate development in the region.”
On the occasion Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia and others were also present.