Dirba (Sangrur), June 17
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday lashed out at the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal for allegedly patronising “notorious criminals” and “mafia” during their regimes. He vowed to make Punjab a “gangster-free land” and make the state prosperous in the coming days.
Mann, who was addressing a roadshow here in favour of his party candidate for the next week’s Sangrur Lok Sabha bypolls, said that those who are responsible for introducing gangster culture in the state are today making hue and cry over it.
Asserting that the pen is mightier than the sword, CM Mann said, “Just like we worship the God before eating meals, I bow down to my pen every morning to ensure that every decision is taken for the welfare of people, who have made me the CM.” Mann said that everyone knows that previous governments in the state had allegedly patronised the gangsters and used them for fulfilling their political interests.
“I haven’t brought gangsters with me but I assure you that I will make the state a gangster-free land,” he said.
CM Mann said that opposition leaders have been alarmed by the government’s action against corruption and the mafia, with many are now afraid of going to jail.
He said that opposition parties are not able to digest the work done by the “pro-people AAP government.” He claimed that works which were not done in 75 years have been accomplished in first three months of the AAP government in the state.
“People of Sangrur showered love on me and made me the CM of Punjab. I am the voice of people and each action is meant for the development of the state,” he said while thanking the people for electing 92 AAP MLAs, giving the party a thumping majority.
Canvassing for AAP candidate Gurmail Singh for the Sangrur Lok Sabha by-poll for the second consecutive day, Mann held road shows at several places.
The June 23 bypoll will be AAP’s first major electoral battle after it formed the government in Punjab. Sangrur Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Bhagwant Mann contested and won from Dhuri assembly segment in the 2022 assembly elections.
Gurmail Singh is the AAP’s Sangrur district in-charge, while the Congress has placed its bet on former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy. The BJP has fielded former Barnala MLA Kewal Dhillon, who joined the party on June 4. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann is also contesting the elections. Kamaldeep Kaur, sister of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh’s assassination case, has been fielded by the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Previous regimes in Punjab patronised criminals, fostered mafia: Bhagwant Mann
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