Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday alleged that with Punjab heading towards Assembly elections next year, the BJP is attempting to replicate the “politics of fear and division” seen in West Bengal. He claimed the party was trying to polarise communities to gain political power in the state.
Appealing to Punjabis to remain united, Mann said divisive forces must not be allowed to disturb peace, communal harmony and longstanding tradition of brotherhood in the state. He said communal politics would not be permitted to disrupt the social fabric of the state.
Chief Minister Mann started the third day of his ‘Shukrana Yatra’ from Bathinda and paid obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. The yatra is being held across the state as an expression of gratitude after the implementation of the anti-sacrilege legislation. He said he felt blessed to have received the opportunity to serve people through the enactment of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026, which provides for stricter punishment in sacrilege cases.
Taking a strong swipe at the BJP, Mann claimed the party was trying to recreate West Bengal’s politics of fear and division in Punjab. He claimed that communal forces were trying to create social divisions to capture political power. Punjab Assembly elections are scheduled to take place early next year.
Raising the slogan ‘Punjab belongs to Punjabis’, Mann said those attempting to disturb communal harmony were enemies of the state. He alleged that the BJP came to power in several states through divisive politics but said such strategies would fail in Punjab, where people celebrate festivals together irrespective of religion.
“Communal parties are conspiring to weaken Punjab’s brotherhood and their agenda must be defeated,” Mann said. He added that certain political forces were attempting to divide society for electoral gains.
Referring to West Bengal, he claimed “The moment BJP formed the government in West Bengal, an atmosphere of fear spread everywhere. The same conspiracy is now being hatched for Punjab.” “First they pit two communities against each other, then they stand with one side and intimidate the other to secure votes,” Mann alleged while criticising the BJP’s approach.
Criticising the RSS and BJP on the issue of nationalism, Mann alleged that the RSS had not hoisted the national flag at its headquarters for decades but was now questioning others’ patriotism.
"Punjabis made countless sacrifices for the nation during the freedom struggle and do not need certificates from self-proclaimed patriots," he said.
Recalling the Partition, Mann said Punjab suffered immense losses during that period, with nearly one million people losing their lives. He added that those now questioning Punjab’s patriotism had not made any sacrifices for the country.
He further claimed that some BJP leaders were seeking sedition charges against him while ignoring Punjab’s contribution to the nation. Mann alleged that despite immense sacrifices, Punjabis were being unfairly labelled “traitors”.
Targeting opposition leaders, the Chief Minister said figures such as Sunil Jakhar should introspect instead of criticising a leader from an ordinary background who was serving the state honestly as Chief Minister.
Training his guns on the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mann accused both parties of misgovernance and alleged they had looted Punjab’s resources for decades. Opposition parties are asking for another chance to loot Punjab, but people will now send them not to power, only to jail," he said.
He also criticised Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, saying hopes of a political comeback were unrealistic. Mann added that Punjab’s voters would not support leaders whom they believed had repeatedly failed the state.
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