PATIALA- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday sharpened his attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal , stating that leaders who were caught stealing electricity at a public rally have not abandoned their habit of looting Punjab, and warned that even out of power they continue such acts, raising serious concerns about the damage they would inflict if they returned to government. Calling them habitual offenders who earlier looted sand and buses and are now resorting to power theft, he said such conduct reflects their entrenched mindset of exploiting public resources.
Building on this, the Chief Minister on Monday called upon people to socially boycott leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal asserting that those responsible for beadbi (sacrilege) and atrocities against the people must be held accountable.
Addressing a gathering in Patiala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These people bruised the psyche of every common man by allowing the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji during their regime. These traitors can never be forgiven as they are responsible for desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and their hands were drenched with the blood of innocent masses.”
He added, “Support to Akali Dal means consent to bring back an era of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, firing on innocent protestors, and atrocities on the common man.”
Calling for firm public action, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those who have ruined the generations of the state and were responsible for sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji deserve no leniency and must be taught a lesson. Social boycott of these leaders is the need of the hour so that they are not able to cause any further loss to the state and its people.” He wondered how some people, due to vested interests, were raising slogans in favour of such leaders despite their actions.
Highlighting the political functioning of the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “These people have always mixed politics and religion for their vested interests and have always undermined the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.” Citing examples, he added, “Jathedars are appointed and ousted as per the whims and fancies of the Akali leadership, giving a severe blow to their position.”
Taking a dig at the Akali Dal's so-called ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’, he remarked, “The so-called Punjab Bachao Yatra is actually a ‘Parivar Bachao Yatra’. After looting the state for 15 years, they must explain from whom they are trying to save Punjab.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly, bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally, and patronised several mafias in the state. The Akali leadership can never be forgiven as it was responsible for the genocide of several generations of the state as the drug trade was patronised by them and flourished during their long era of misrule.”
Referring to Sukhbir Singh Badal, he added, “Sukhbir Singh Badal frequently defames AAP karyakartas because they raise the voice of the people.”
Continuing his criticism, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These people became affluent and amassed huge wealth by usurping facilities meant for the common man. The former Deputy Chief Minister has forgotten that the state deteriorated during their long misrule when the mafia ruled the roost.” He further added, “Even late Parkash Singh Badal had never made Sukhbir the head of the state as he knew the former Deputy Chief Minister would put the state in disarray.”
Targeting priorities of the opposition, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Instead of talking about education and welfare schemes, Sukhbir is talking about buffaloes, which reflects his myopic mindset that he does not want the youth of the state to become officers.”
He added, “The Akali leader is begging for one chance from the people, probably forgetting that they were given a chance five times. Instead of serving the people, they looted the masses and the state, due to which they were shown the door by the people.”
Referring to a recent incident, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “At a function in Sri Muktsar Sahib, the Akali leadership was caught stealing power, and the state government will lodge a case against them. What welfare can be expected from such people who indulge in petty crimes like power theft?” He contrasted this by stating that his government is making strenuous efforts for the well-being of every section of society.
On social welfare measures, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Under Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, every woman will receive ₹1, 000 per month and ₹1, 500 for women belonging to Scheduled Castes, with direct transfer to bank accounts. Women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible.” He added, “Around 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit, and ₹9, 300 crore has been allocated in the budget.”
Responding to critics, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those mocking this scheme or raising baseless questions do not understand the value of ₹1, 000 for a common person. Those who spend more than ₹5, 000 per meal from illegally earned money do not value this support, which is crucial for households that struggle even during festivals.” He added that such affluent leaders are disconnected from the realities of ordinary families.
Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Barinder Goyal, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, and Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with Vice Chancellor Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University Dr. Pushpinder Singh Gill, were also present on the occasion.