GURDASPUR, 9th March 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that Punjab is witnessing a decisive shift from decades of political exploitation to an era of development, education reform and welfare-driven governance, asserting that the people of the state will once again use the ‘jhaadu’ to wipe out Congress and the Akali Dal-BJP who ruled Punjab turn by turn while neglecting public welfare.

After addressing a gathering in Qadian in the border district of Gurdaspur, the foundation stone for the renovation of 237 rural link roads was laid. These roads are worth ₹168. The Chief Minister said the Punjab Government is strengthening rural infrastructure. It is creating jobs and transforming government schools. The Chief Minister also exposed how earlier regimes prioritised commissions and power politics over the needs of ordinary people.

Era : Punjab Government is building new modern schools

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that previous governments shut down government schools. They neglected border regions. In contrast, the Punjab Government is building new modern schools. They are sending teachers abroad for training so that children of Punjab do not have to go abroad for education. This initiative attracts ₹1.50 lakh crore investment proposals expected to generate 5.20 lakh jobs, and expands development to every corner of Punjab, including the decision to make Kahnuwan a Sub Division to bring all key public offices under one roof.

During this, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that traditional parties had long misled the people. They satisfied their hunger for power. Meanwhile, they looted Punjab’s wealth and neglected the interests of the common man. “The people of Punjab are supreme. They are standing firmly with the Punjab Government. The government has taken path-breaking initiatives for the well-being of every section of society,” he said. He added that political parties that ruled Punjab for decades had no agenda except exploiting people. They were plundering the resources of the state.

New Era : Mann spoke about the situation in the Majha region

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann spoke about the situation in the Majha region. He stated that smugglers who represented the area for years had destroyed generations of Punjab. They must now face the verdict of the people. “We eat the biscuits baked in the bakery. These leaders educated in convent schools in the hills consumed gold biscuits smuggled by their fathers,” said the Chief Minister. He added that such leaders have neither ideology nor commitment. They do not aim to serve the common man. Their only obsession is capturing power.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these royal leaders have nothing in common with ordinary people. “Their cars, their overcoats, their wardrobes, and their lifestyles have nothing in common with the lives of ordinary Punjabis,” he said. He added that those who represented the area in the Vidhan Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and Lok Sabha ignored development. Instead, they imposed tolls on roads. He also said that the homes of such leaders themselves reflect political opportunism. Flags of two different parties can be seen at the same house.

Mann mentioned the internal situation in the Congress party.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann mentioned the internal situation in the Congress party. He said that every Congress leader wants to become the Chief Minister. Each one aspires to this role. “They have more Chief Ministers than ordinary workers,” said the Chief Minister. He added that their top leader recently publicly rebuked them during a rally. “The Congress party is a divided house that will collapse due to its internal infighting,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that it is unfortunate. Senior Congress leaders who come to unite their party leaders cannot even pronounce their names correctly. “These leaders have no vision for Punjab. Their only aim is to capture power and plunder Punjab’s wealth. However, their dreams will never be fulfilled,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He added that earlier traditional parties waited for their turn to grab power. But now the broom has arrived to clean the mess created by them.

He criticized the Akali leadership. He said that those who cannot even find 11 members to form a committee in their own party are unrealistic. They are dreaming of winning 117 seats in Punjab. He reminded people that such leaders patronised gangsters and allowed drugs to spread among Punjab’s youth by shielding drug smugglers.

“Akali Dal has become a party of political deadwoods. The people have rejected them time and again,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He added that although the Akalis may try to misuse religion for political gain, Punjabis will not be misled again.

Era : Akali leaders are building castles in the air

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that Akali leaders are building castles in the air. They are trying to mislead people. However, Punjabis will never forgive them for their past actions. Referring to claims made by Sukhbir Badal regarding development, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders conveniently ignore sacrilege incidents that occurred during their tenure.

“These people have bruised the psyche of every common man. They have used religion for their vested interests. This is an unforgivable sin,” asserted CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He added that the Akali leadership is hand in glove with forces that are inimical to the Sikh Panth and Punjab. Such opportunistic leaders only pursue their personal interests.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that traditional parties are uncomfortable with the AAP. This is because the Punjab Government has placed the welfare of the common man at the centre of governance. “Earlier, the Congress and BJP played friendly matches. They enjoyed power on a rotation basis and protected each other’s interests while looting the state,” he said. He added that they treated governance like a game of musical chairs while ordinary people suffered.

AAP entered politics and challenged corruption

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this cycle ended when the AAP entered politics and challenged corruption. “Whenever someone raises their voice against corruption and these entrenched interests, they try to put them behind bars by filing false cases,” he said, adding that beneficiaries of corruption networks attempt to target honest leaders through fabricated charges.

Highlighting the achievements of the Punjab Government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that unprecedented steps have been taken in the last four years to improve the lives of people. “The opposition is not concerned about the prosperity of the people. Their only interest is in capturing power,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the Punjab Government is managing every rupee of the state exchequer responsibly. They are doing this for public welfare. “More than 90 percent of households in Punjab are receiving free electricity. Farmers are getting power supply during the daytime for irrigation, something that had never happened earlier,” he said.

Union government is selling national assets to a few select friends.

He also said that the Union government is selling national assets to a few select friends. Meanwhile, the Punjab Government created history by purchasing a private thermal plant. They named it after Sri Guru Amardass ji.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann announced a new initiative. The Punjab Government has launched the Mukh Mantri Mavaan Dhian Satkar Scheme. Women above 18 years from the general category receive ₹1,000 per month. Women from Scheduled Caste communities receive ₹1,500 per month as financial assistance.

“For ordinary families, especially the poor, ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 is a significant support. This assistance is a mark of respect for mothers and daughters. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed that the happiness on women’s faces after receiving this support gives him immense satisfaction.”

students are now receiving specialised coaching for competitive examinations

Speaking about education reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that teachers and principals from Punjab Government schools are being sent abroad to upgrade their skills and teaching methods. “Punjab has ranked first in the National Achievement Survey conducted by the Government of India, surpassing even Kerala,” said Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He further said that students are now receiving specialised coaching for competitive examinations. These exams include Armed Forces preparation, NEET, JEE, CLAT, and NIFT. “Around 300 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools have qualified for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced and NEET examinations,” said the Chief Minister.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that farmers are now receiving electricity during the daytime for irrigation for the first time, which has brought a major change in their lives. He also said that the Punjab Government is expanding welfare measures for people. However, the BJP government in Delhi has stopped such facilities after coming to power.

Mann also announced several development initiatives for the region

Highlighting the health sector reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, a first-of-its-kind scheme providing cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. “Punjab has become the first state in India to provide such comprehensive healthcare coverage to every family,” said the Chief Minister, adding that the scheme significantly reduces the financial burden on people while ensuring quality healthcare services.

During the event, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also announced several development initiatives for the region. He said that Kahnuwan will be made a Sub Division, a state-of-the-art stadium will be constructed, and the defunct ITI will be made operational again. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added that the sewerage projects at Qadian and Dhaliwal will be completed in a time-bound manner.

Punjab Government’s commitment to economic growth

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further announced that a training centre on the lines of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Academy will be established in the Majha region. He also said that the Punjab Government will take up the issue of reopening the Dhaliwal woollen mill with the Union government.

Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to economic growth, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that major efforts are being made to strengthen industrial infrastructure and attract investment to Punjab. “So far, investment proposals worth ₹1.50 lakh crore have been secured, which will create around 5.20 lakh job opportunities for the youth,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Sharing a few snippets from the gathering on X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, a major step was taken to accelerate rural development in Qadian constituency of border district Gurdaspur. The foundation stone was laid for a project to renovate 237 rural link roads at a cost of ₹168.44 crore. Under this project, nearly 497 km of roads will be upgraded, significantly strengthening connectivity in rural areas and addressing problems that residents have faced for decades.”

He further stated, “For a long time, the condition of several roads in the region had deteriorated badly, causing serious difficulties for people in their daily travel. Once the project is completed, it will not only improve connectivity in rural areas but also provide significant relief to farmers, traders and students. Previous governments had deprived rural and border areas of development for years, but we are working with sincerity and commitment to ensure that development reaches every corner of Punjab. The government remains fully committed to connecting Punjab’s villages with strong infrastructure, making life easier for people and taking the state to new heights of development.”