AMLOH -As talk of a renewed alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP gathers pace, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said the coming together of the two parties reflects a desperate bid to regain political power after being repeatedly rejected by the people of Punjab. Addressing a Lok Milni among residents of Shamaspur village in the Amloh constituency, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the SAD-BJP alliance was not being forged for public welfare or any shared ideology but to revive the politics that had harmed Punjab through the patronage of the drug menace, anti-farmer policies and divisive agendas.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also targeted the BJP over the misuse of central agencies and said the Congress remained consumed by internal rivalries and leadership ambitions. Highlighting a series of pro-people initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Government, he asserted that Punjabis had chosen honest governance and development in 2022 and would not allow a return to the politics of loot, deception and vested interests.
During the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “Punjabis have already rejected traditional parties and will not allow them to return through opportunistic political arrangements that serve neither ideology nor public welfare.”
Speaking on the emerging alliance between the Akali Dal and BJP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Akali Dal-BJP alliance will prove fatal for both parties because it is not based on any ideology or concern for public welfare. Its sole objective is to grab power in Punjab. Leaders of both parties have spent years attacking each other and spewing venom against one another. They must now explain to the people with what face they will seek public support. Punjabis will not be misled by such political theatrics and will teach them a befitting lesson.”
Targeting the BJP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The BJP has always displayed an anti-Punjab mindset and repeatedly treated Punjab in a discriminatory manner, jeopardising the state’s development and progress. More than 700 farmers laid down their lives during the struggle against the anti-farmer laws imposed by the BJP. The party has consistently treated Punjab unfairly and is now trying to divide people in the name of religion.”
Expressing concern over the misuse of central agencies, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “These agencies are increasingly functioning as extensions of the BJP and are being used to pressure and intimidate people into supporting the saffron party. Political opponents and even small traders are being arm-twisted for partisan interests. By targeting opponents through such means, the BJP is attempting to silence democratic voices, and Punjab will never tolerate such actions.”
Coming down heavily on the Akali Dal over incidents of beadbi and the drug menace during its tenure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the party repeatedly sought votes in the name of Gurbani but failed to protect its sanctity when Punjab witnessed incidents that deeply hurt the sentiments of people.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Akalis sought votes in the name of Gurbani but failed to uphold its sanctity. Despite repeatedly invoking the teachings of the Gurus, they presided over a period when incidents of beadbi deeply hurt the sentiments of Punjabis. Those who speak about development during their tenure conveniently ignore Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and other painful episodes where innocent lives were lost.”
Taking a direct swipe at Shiromani Akali Dal leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal speaks about development during the Akali regime but turns a blind eye towards Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and other incidents where beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji took place and innocent people lost their lives. The Akalis should be held accountable for ruining generations because the drug trade flourished under their patronage during their long misrule.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “The hands of these leaders are drenched with the blood of millions of youth who fell prey to drugs supplied across the state. Their sins are unpardonable and the people can never forgive them for their long saga of misdeeds. Akali leaders mercilessly looted Punjab and committed numerous atrocities on ordinary citizens during their long and tyrannical rule.”
Warning against any future alliance between the Akali Dal and BJP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Both parties now want to join hands again to satisfy their hunger for power. Such an alliance will prove disastrous for Punjab because its only objective is to derail the state’s progress and push it back into darker times. Punjabis understand the character and intentions of these parties and will never support such a narrow-minded alliance.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed that traditional parties have repeatedly exploited people by dividing them on communal lines. “These parties have no agenda beyond looting Punjab’s resources and exploiting ordinary citizens. The people of Punjab are supreme and they stand firmly with a government that is working sincerely for every section of society.”
Taking a swipe at the Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Every Congress leader wants to become Chief Minister. They have more chief ministerial aspirants than workers. Congress leaders continue to dream about returning to power, but the party is deeply divided and consumed by infighting. They have no vision for Punjab and their only objective is to gain power.”
He added, “Congress leaders are daydreaming about assuming power in Punjab. The party is a divided house that will collapse like a house of cards because of its internal feuds. Their only objective is to gain control of Punjab’s resources and the people are fully aware of their intentions.”
Referring to the enactment of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Almighty has blessed us with the opportunity to serve humanity through this historic legislation. Anyone found guilty of beadbi can now face imprisonment ranging from ten years to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50 lakh. If the fine is not paid, property can be attached and sold so future generations remember the consequences of disrespecting Sri Guru Sahib Sahib.”
Expressing confidence that the law would act as a strong deterrent against beadbi, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is our collective responsibility to preserve its sanctity. Those who misused religion for political gains cannot be forgiven. We are fortunate to have fulfilled our responsibility by enacting this historic law, which will act as a deterrent against such incidents in future.”