Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP while distributing licences to 2,800 new ration depot holders, alleging that opposition parties were driven by political ambition and would discontinue public welfare schemes if they returned to power.
Addressing a function in Mohali, Mann claimed that internal rivalries had weakened the Congress and alleged that the party’s leadership remained focused on the chief minister’s post rather than governance. Referring to recent public exchanges among Congress leaders, he said the party was consumed by a battle for power instead of addressing issues concerning the people of Punjab.
“The Congress leaders themselves have spoken about the price of becoming a chief minister. If someone spends ₹500 crore to secure the post, they will naturally look to recover much more. That money will ultimately come at the cost of welfare schemes, education, healthcare and employment,” Mann said.
The chief minister asserted that his government had never cited an empty treasury as an excuse for avoiding welfare measures. Instead, he said, the administration had strengthened finances by plugging revenue leakages while continuing to expand public services.
Mann also targeted senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, referring to his recent release on bail. “He is out on bail, not after conquering a fort. Legal proceedings are still before the courts, but people too have their own court of judgment,” he remarked.
Without naming specific cases, Mann further alleged that illegal drug trafficking had flourished during previous Akali governments and claimed that influential individuals had enjoyed official protection. He also criticised the opposition over the issue of narcotics, saying the people of Punjab had not forgotten the past.
The chief minister accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) of running a campaign against him by displaying posters outside gurdwaras. He questioned why similar campaigns were not launched after the Behbal Kalan sacrilege-related incidents and referred to past acknowledgements made by Akali leaders before the Akal Takht.
Mann alleged that the Congress, BJP and SAD were united in attacking his government and warned that welfare initiatives introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party government would be rolled back if the opposition returned to office. “They oppose financial assistance for women and other public welfare measures, but remained silent when public money was allegedly misused in the past,” he said.
Highlighting his government’s performance, Mann said Punjab had witnessed improvements in the education sector during the last four-and-a-half years and claimed the state had moved from the lower ranks to the top in school education indicators. He also said the government had recently regularised the services of long-serving beldars and had undertaken measures to improve water management and public infrastructure.
The chief minister was speaking after handing over licences to 2,800 new ration depot holders under the state’s revised public distribution policy. According to the government, the new depots are expected to improve access to subsidised foodgrains for nearly 5.5 lakh ration card beneficiaries by bringing distribution centres closer to residential areas.
Officials said the newly allotted depots include representation from different sections of society. Punjab currently operates around 14,000 ration depots, supplying free wheat and other benefits under the Smart Ration Card Scheme and the “Meri Rasoi” ration kit programme to nearly 40 lakh registered families across the state.