Chandigarh: Accusing the BJP of meting out step-motherly treatment to the state, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday asserted that the saffron party can win from any state in the country, but it should never dream of winning in Punjab.Interacting with media persons in Mohali, Mann said, “In the assembly election results announced Monday, the BJP won in West Bengal and Puducherry, it has been in power in Assam … Punjab has already voted for change. BJP shouldn’t even think of winning in Punjab, that it can manage to get votes.” He said, “We are Punjabi. Once we take a stand, we stick to it; once we dig our heels in, we don’t back down. They have never even spoken up for the rights of Punjab.” Mann said, “The people of Punjab are well aware of the dubious character of the BJP and they will definitely teach it a lesson, as Punjabis can never forget how the food growers of the state were humiliated during the protest against the farm laws, and the hands of the BJP were drenched with the blood of more than 700 farmers who lost their lives during this agitation.” Highlighting the party’s record in Punjab, the CM said, “Though the BJP is buoyed over electoral gains in some states, as far as Punjab is concerned there is a long saga of injustice and step-motherly treatment, as it wants to deprive Punjab of Panjab University, Chandigarh, Bhakra Dam and every legitimate right, and has stalled the legitimate share of grants of the state just to jeopardise its development.” Dismissing BJP’s prospects in the state, Mann said, “Rather than building castles in the air, the BJP leadership should forget that it will ever assume power in Punjab as its sins against the state and its people are unpardonable, and with what face will it come to Punjab when its leaders have never raised the issues of the state and its people, as the brave and wise people of Punjab will never forget these misdeeds and will teach them a befitting lesson.” Meanwhile, listing AAP govt’s healthcare achievements, Mann said, “A total of 990 Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing free treatment across the state and this number will soon reach 1,400, with 107 medicines and 47 types of diagnostic tests available free of cost, strengthening people’s trust in govt healthcare institutions, as thousands of people visit these clinics daily and the OPD has already crossed 5 crore.” Attacking traditional parties, he asserted, “Leaders of traditional parties had misled people for a long time but now people are not being influenced by their propaganda, as they have been ousted despite living in palatial houses during their time in power, marking a new era where those once considered invincible have been pushed into political oblivion.” On accountability and ‘beadbi’, Mann said, “People have taught a befitting lesson to such arrogant leaders who never cared for the common man and remained confined within their grand residences, and those who sought votes in the name of Gurbani committed grave disrespect as incidents of ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) of Guru Granth Sahib took place during their tenure without action against the culprits.” “The govt has passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026 unanimously, which provides harsher punishment and will end such incidents in future by ensuring no one dares to commit this heinous crime, as these acts were part of a deep conspiracy to disturb peace, brotherhood and communal harmony,” he said.
