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Mann Says ‘Defeat Has Triggered Their Bellyaching’
Chandigarh: A day before the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched a scathing attack on opposition parties, accusing them of crying foul after sensing defeat in the crucial rural polls. Speaking in his trademark rustic and humorous style, Mann targeted the Congress over the ongoing “Rs 500 crore for Chief Ministership” controversy, while also taking sharp digs at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP.
‘ Channi Making Baseless Allegations’
Referring to former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Mann said the Congress leader had begun making “irresponsible statements” after realising electoral defeat. “The man who was CM for 111 days is alleging that 100 pre-printed ballot papers are being used in every constituency. He has sensed defeat, and that’s why he is making such baseless claims,” Mann said. In a sarcastic swipe at the Congress, he added that the party would do well to focus on “arranging the money required to get the Chief Minister’s post or two Deputy CM berths.”
Hits Out at Akalis: ‘B in SAD Stands for Beadbi and Badmashi’
Mann also launched a blistering attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal, alleging that the party was resorting to intimidation tactics. “The ‘B’ in SAD stands for beadbi and badmashi. They are threatening voters through gangsters and have even fielded a relative of a gangster in the Tarn Taran bypoll,” he alleged.
‘If We Were Misusing Power, Why So Many Opponents?’
Rejecting allegations of misuse of official machinery, Mann pointed to the large number of opposition candidates contesting the rural polls. “If the ruling party was misusing the administration, how could 2,433 Congress and 1,814 Akali candidates contest Panchayat Samiti elections?” he asked. He noted that three Congress and eight Independent candidates had already been declared elected unopposed, contradicting opposition claims of unfair practices.
AAP Leads in Numbers, Rivals Lag Behind
Highlighting AAP’s organisational preparedness, Mann said the party had fielded candidates on all 347 Zila Parishad seats, while rival parties fell short: Congress: 331, SAD: 298, BJP: 215. For Panchayat Samiti seats, AAP: 2,771, Congress: 2,433, SAD: 1,814, BJP: 1,127 and BSP: 195. Mann claimed that many Congress leaders were demoralised after failing to secure victories for their kin in recent bypolls.
Alleges Anti-AAP Alliances at Grassroots
Mann alleged that opposition parties were forming tactical alliances at the grassroots to counter AAP’s growing influence. “At many places, these three parties are backing common candidates against AAP. But the people will vote for AAP—the only party with credibility that delivers on its promises,” he said.
Lists the Government’s Achievements
Reiterating his government’s performance, Mann said voters were impressed by AAP’s work, including upgrading school infrastructure, setting up Aam Aadmi Clinics, construction of 43,000 km of roads and ensuring water reaches the tail ends of canals, promoting canal irrigation over tubewells. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that these achievements would translate into a strong mandate for AAP in the rural elections.
