Don't vote for them: Bhagwant Mann takes swipe at Punjab Congress over leadership tussle
Addressing a gathering in Hoshiyarpur, Mann claimed the Punjab Congress was consumed by a leadership tussle, with its senior leaders competing for the top post instead of focusing on public issues.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday intensified his attack on the Congress, mocking the party's internal factionalism ahead of next year's Assembly elections and urging voters to deny it enough seats to even contemplate choosing a chief minister.
Addressing a public gathering in Hoshiarpur’s Mukerian, Mann claimed the Punjab Congress was consumed by a leadership tussle, with its senior leaders competing for the top post instead of focusing on public issues.
He argued that people should vote in a manner that spares the Congress the "problem" of deciding its chief ministerial face, asserting that the party first needs to win the required numbers before aspiring to form the government.
Mann's remarks come amid deepening divisions within the Punjab Congress following the party high command's decision to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the state unit president while appointing former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi as chairman of the campaign committee.
The move has triggered open dissent from a section of senior leaders led by Channi and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who have demanded Warring's removal and backed Channi for a larger leadership role.
Taking a swipe at the opposition's internal differences, Mann said, "Raja Warring doesn't get along with Channi, Channi doesn't get along with Bajwa, Bajwa doesn't get along with Randhawa, Randhawa doesn't get along with Warring, Warring doesn't get along with Navjot Singh Sidhu, and Navjot Singh Sidhu doesn't get along with anyone at all."
He added, "It is crucial to put an end to the infighting within the Congress; we will have to step in now. Give them so few seats that the question of becoming Chief Minister never even arises—no bamboo, no flute".
DOUBTS CONGRESS'S POLL PROSPECTS
Claiming Congress leaders were prematurely fighting over the chief minister's post, Mann remarked, "Congress members are behaving as if the Governor has already fixed a time for the Chief Minister's swearing-in ceremony... To become the Chief Minister of Punjab, one needs 59 seats. Where will they get so many seats? They need to win the seats first before aspiring to be Chief Minister."
Referring to the Congress' proposed statewide bus yatra to be flagged off by Rahul Gandhi, Mann quipped that while all leaders might board the bus together, "they certainly won't get off together."
He sarcastically suggested that people capable of breaking up fights should accompany the leaders to prevent clashes, alleging they were fighting only for an opportunity to "loot" Punjab.
Mann further claimed that a Congress government would discontinue the AAP government's welfare initiatives and alleged that Congress leaders had already indicated they would scrap free schemes.
MANN ATTACKS AKALI DAL
The chief minister also targeted the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accusing it of trying to regain power through false promises and by misusing religion for political purposes.
He alleged the party had failed Punjab despite ruling the state multiple times and claimed it was relying on "paid workers" to project crowds at its rallies.
Mann highlighted his government's welfare initiatives, including the Mawan Dhiyan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana, under which over 32 lakh women are receiving financial assistance, and said Punjab's development would continue if the AAP returned to power.
SAD HITS BACK, RAKES UP SACRILEGE
Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler criticised the Mann government over recent incidents of sacrilege in Punjab, alleging that the AAP had failed to curb such cases despite enacting a stricter law.
"The Aam Aadmi Party has played politics in the name of sacrilege in Punjab. They have used the sacrilege and insult of Guru saheb as a political tool and came to power," Kler said.
Referring to fresh incidents, including one reported in Mansa, he questioned the effectiveness of the anti-sacrilege legislation and alleged that offenders had "no fear of law".
Kler further accused the AAP of using the issue of sacrilege for political gains ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections and demanded that Chief Minister Mann take responsibility for the rising number of such incidents.
With Punjab heading towards Assembly elections early next year, the Congress continues to grapple with an unresolved leadership battle, providing the ruling AAP with fresh ammunition to target its principal opposition.
At the same time, the SAD has sought to shift the political debate towards law and order and religious issues, setting the stage for an increasingly combative campaign in the months ahead.