Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday, 15 July declared that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has delivered on every commitment made to the people of Punjab, asserting that the state's push to lead in every sector would continue with public support. Speaking at a gathering in Mukerian town, Mann framed his administration's record as a contrast to what he described as power-hungry rivals.

Mann's Core Claim on Governance

The Chief Minister said his brand of politics is not about retaining office but about securing the progress and prosperity of Punjab's people. He argued that while the AAP government remained focused on delivering welfare schemes and empowering citizens, rival parties had shifted their attention to internal power struggles.

Mann also reiterated that those responsible for the beadbi (sacrilege) of the Guru Granth Sahib would face the full force of the law, a promise that has been central to AAP's political messaging in the state since it came to power.

Sharp Attack on Congress

Mann trained his sharpest criticism on the Indian National Congress (Congress), alleging that the party has openly declared it would discontinue AAP's welfare schemes if voted to office. 'Do not hand over power to these greedy leaders because they will stop all the schemes started by the AAP government for public welfare,' he said. 'The Congress leaders have repeatedly claimed that if voted to power, they will discontinue these schemes.'

He also took aim at the party's internal cohesion, mocking a reported bus journey initiative to be flagged off by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. 'They may go together, but they certainly will not return together because everyone will be injured due to their intense infighting,' Mann said, in remarks that drew applause from the crowd.

Akali Dal in the Crosshairs

Turning to the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mann alleged that the party relies on false promises and paid crowds to project political relevance. Targeting Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal directly, he said the same faces appear at every Akali rally, suggesting the turnout is manufactured rather than organic.

'The people elected the Badals as Chief Minister five times, but they never did anything good for the state or its people,' Mann said. He accused Akali leaders of shifting positions like 'a chameleon' to suit vested interests, and noted that Punjab's voters had already pushed the party into what he called 'political oblivion.'

AAP's Appeal for a Stronger Mandate

Mann called on voters to give AAP an overwhelming mandate based on its pro-people track record, arguing that only a decisive electoral verdict would prevent rival parties from returning to power and reversing existing welfare programmes. The rally in Mukerian, a town in Hoshiarpur district, signals the party's ground-level mobilisation ahead of the next electoral cycle.

With Punjab's political temperature rising and opposition parties sharpening their campaigns, Mann's Mukerian address underscores AAP's strategy of defending its welfare legacy while keeping the focus on rival infighting.