Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Embarks on Week-Long Wellness Programme in Bangalore
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann departed on Wednesday for a week-long naturopathy and wellness programme in Bangalore, with his return scheduled for March 5. This timing places him back in Chandigarh just one day before the commencement of the budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, which is set to begin on March 6.
Background: Recent Health Concerns and Hospitalization
This wellness initiative follows a recent health scare for the Chief Minister. Mann initially felt unwell while attending a Mahashivratri event in Sangrur alongside Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal. Subsequently, he was admitted for clinical observation at a private hospital in Mohali, where AAP leader Manish Sisodia visited him to check on his condition. He was discharged on February 19 after complaining of exhaustion and fatigue.
Party sources have clarified that Mann's current naturopathy course at a naturecure institute is focused on general wellness and is not intended to treat any specific ailment. This is not the first time the Chief Minister has taken such a break; ahead of the 2017 assembly elections, he attended a similar naturopathy and wellness programme to recuperate from his demanding political schedule.
Parallels with AAP Leadership Wellness Practices
Mann's approach to managing stress and recuperation mirrors that of his party colleague, Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi Chief Minister regularly takes time off for 10-day Vipassana meditation courses. Kejriwal attended a silent retreat in March 2025 at a centre in Hoshiarpur after the Delhi assembly elections, a visit that sparked political controversy as opposition parties alleged he arrived with a large security entourage of over 20 vehicles. Prior to that, he had participated in a similar programme at the same Hoshiarpur centre in December 2023.
Upcoming Budget Session and Key Announcements
Mann's return is strategically timed for the Punjab budget session, which will commence with the governor's address on March 6. The budget is slated to be presented on March 8. The AAP government is widely expected to announce the much-hyped Rs 1,100 monthly stipend for women in the state, a key pre-poll promise made by the party. This announcement is anticipated to be a focal point of the session, drawing significant public and political attention.
As the Chief Minister focuses on his wellness in Bangalore, the political machinery in Punjab prepares for a crucial budget session that could shape the state's fiscal policies and social welfare initiatives in the coming year.
