Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made a significant political move on Sunday. He addressed a public gathering in the Majitha assembly constituency. This area is traditionally a stronghold of the Shiromani Akali Dal's Majithia family.
Early Candidate Announcement for 2027 Elections
Mann named Talbir Singh Gill as the Aam Aadmi Party's candidate from Majitha. Gill is a former friend turned political opponent of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia. This announcement appears to be the first candidate declaration by any party for the Punjab assembly elections. Those polls are scheduled for February or March next year.
The chief minister launched a sharp attack on Bikram Singh Majithia during his speech. He labeled Majithia a self-proclaimed 'jarnail' or general of the region. Mann accused him of using false legal cases as weapons against ordinary citizens.
"He had deep connections in both Congress and Akali governments," Mann stated. "He unleashed a reign of terror, and people were afraid to speak." The CM claimed that fear has now completely vanished from the area.
Foundation Stone Ceremony and Broader Allegations
Mann spoke after laying the foundation stone for 23 new rural link roads in Majitha. He shifted his criticism to the Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The CM alleged their misdeeds forced the state government to form a Special Investigation Team.
This SIT will probe the disappearance of 328 saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2020. Mann emphasized the government's sole objective is to trace the missing religious volumes. He asserted there is no intention to interfere with the functioning of religious institutions.
The chief minister issued a stark warning about the Akali Dal's potential return to power. He said it would push Punjab back into a dark phase. According to Mann, this would mean the return of sacrilege incidents, firing on innocent protesters, and atrocities against common people.
Criticism of SGPC Leadership
Mann also targeted SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami in his address. He expressed disappointment that Dhami focuses on political rallies instead of his primary responsibilities. "Instead of calling himself a soldier of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, he proudly calls himself a soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal," Mann remarked.
The CM questioned what good could be expected from a person who takes pride in serving someone he accused of ruining Punjab.
Swipes at Congress and Defense of Akal Takht
Mann did not spare the Congress party either. He took a swipe at leader Rahul Gandhi's practice of staying overnight in poor households. "Some leaders treat staying one night in a poor person's house as a novelty," Mann said. "I am myself a common man and I understand the daily struggles of ordinary people."
The chief minister strongly defended the authority of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat in Sikhism. He stated the Akal Takht is above all, explaining why he chose to appear before the Takht instead of attending a function of the President of India.
Mann accused the Akali Dal of repeatedly undermining the Akal Takht's authority during their rule. "Jathedars were appointed and removed at their whim," he claimed. This action dealt a severe blow to the sanctity of these institutions according to the CM. He concluded by remarking that Congress leaders have lost their political balance after facing continuous electoral defeats.
This event in Majitha comes just four days after Mann sounded AAP's poll bugle for the 2027 elections at the Maghi Mela in Muktsar. His aggressive campaigning signals an early and intense start to the electoral battle in Punjab.
