Will Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Be Blessed with a Long and Healthy Life?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi sends birthday greetings to Bhagwant Mann.
- Mann's journey from comedian to CM.
- Significance of political goodwill.
- Mann's commitment to public service.
- Major victories in Punjab politics.
New Delhi, Oct 17 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed warm birthday wishes to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, expressing hopes for his long and healthy life.
On the social media platform X, PM Modi shared, “Best wishes to Punjab CM Shri Bhagwant Mann Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life.”
Born in 1973 in Satoj village of Sangrur district, Mann comes from a lineage of schoolteachers. He completed his degree in Commerce from Shaheed Udham Singh Government College in 1992. At just 18, he enjoyed early fame by releasing an audio cassette that struck a chord with many.
He gained prominence through his TV shows Jugnu Kehnda Hai and Jugnu Mast Mast, becoming a well-known figure. Mann became widely recognized in 2008 after his participation in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge on Star Plus. He also starred in the National Award-winning film Main Maa Punjab Dee.
At the peak of his comedy career, Mann joined the People’s Party of Punjab, established by Manpreet Singh Badal, the nephew of the Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal. He entered politics by contesting in the 2012 assembly elections from the Lehra constituency in Sangrur against former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.
After the merger of the People’s Party with Congress, Mann accepted an invitation from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal to join the party. In 2014, he secured the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat, defeating senior Akali leader S.S. Dhindsa.
By 2017, Mann had emerged as a prominent face for AAP in Punjab. However, in 2018, he stepped down as state president after Kejriwal apologized to Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a defamation case. Despite criticizing Majithia, Mann was reinstated as state president a year later.
In 2019, Mann triumphed in the general election, remaining the sole AAP MP from Punjab. While he garnered admiration, he also faced criticism from BJP leaders for allegedly appearing inebriated during a parliamentary address. That year, Mann vowed to abstain from alcohol.
Mann took the oath as Chief Minister of Punjab on March 16, 2022, winning from the Dhuri Assembly seat with a margin exceeding 58,000 votes.