-Accuses Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP of Desperation Ahead of Rural Polls
Chandigarh, December 14
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday sharply criticized former Chief Minister and Congress leader Charanjit Channi for making “irresponsible and baseless” statements, accusing him of misleading the public amid fears of defeat in the upcoming Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.
Speaking to the media at his residence, Mann said Channi’s brief 111-day tenure as Chief Minister had effectively conceded his party’s loss by resorting to claims that undermine democratic principles.
The Chief Minister alleged that, anticipating heavy losses in the rural polls, the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are employing diversionary tactics. He pointed out that the Congress has faced repeated rejection by voters, while the Akali Dal avoided contesting most recent bypolls. Mann asserted that these parties are fully aware of their likely poor performance and are making unfounded allegations as a face-saving measure.
Mann challenged Channi to substantiate his accusations of extra or fake ballot papers being printed, questioning where such printing allegedly occurred. He described Channi as a “self-proclaimed champion of the weaker sections” who is using these tactics merely for publicity. Mann noted that neither Channi nor the Congress has a strong record of grassroots engagement, leading to their electoral setbacks. Instead of relying on performance, he said, the Congress has historically depended on rotational power-sharing every five years—a strategy now failing due to public disillusionment.
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The Chief Minister advised Channi to focus on internal Congress matters, such as the ongoing “auction” for selecting the party’s candidate for future Vidhan Sabha elections, warning that such distractions could cost him in the leadership race. He claimed that voters are determined to punish the Congress in these polls, leaving its leaders rattled.
Mann further alleged that the Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP are engaging in a “friendly match” by indirectly supporting common candidates in shifts to defeat the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). While AAP is campaigning on development, he said, these parties are promoting division and hatred.
Highlighting the changing political landscape, Mann noted that even prominent leaders like SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, once rarely seen on the ground, are now actively campaigning—even on motorcycles—for Zila Parishad seats. He quipped that the Akali Dal has shifted from “Akali Dal (Badal)” to “Akali Dal (Beadbi)” or “Akali Dal (Badmaashi)” due to its alleged ties with gangsters fielded as candidates.
Rejecting opposition claims of harassment against their candidates, Mann cited figures showing fair participation: For 347 Zila Parishad zones, Congress fielded 331 candidates, SAD 298, and BJP 215. For 2,833 Panchayat Samiti zones, the numbers were 2,433 for Congress, 1,814 for SAD, and 1,127 for BJP—proving equal opportunity for all parties.
Mann accused traditional parties of treating Punjab as “up for sale” and rushing to contest in hopes of regaining power. He took a dig at a BJP leader (referred to as a “Jogi” returning from the hills) for criticizing his own party while remaining in it.
Pointing to recent bypoll defeats, Mann said even Congress stalwarts are losing strongholds, citing the losses of the state Congress chief’s wife in Gidderbaha and former Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s wife in Dera Baba Nanak. He dismissed Navjot Singh Sidhu’s ministerial record as “zero” and accused such leaders of prioritizing personal gain over Punjab’s welfare.
In contrast, Mann highlighted his government’s pro-people initiatives: Restoring canal water to tail-end villages (some after 37 years), providing daytime power to farmers and zero bills for 90% of households, transparently appointing 56,856 youths to government jobs, closing 19 toll plazas (saving ₹64 lakh daily), opening 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics for free healthcare, and transforming education with 118 Schools of Eminence, free uniforms, girls’ bus services, and coaching for competitive exams. He proudly noted that 265 government school students cleared JEE Mains, 44 advanced to JEE Advanced, and 848 qualified for NEET.
