Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann slams Sukhbir Badal over Bargari incident, drugs

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today accused Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal of remaining silent on grave issues, including the Bargari firing incident, and drug menace that, he claimed, took thousands of lives during the Akali regime.

Speaking at a public gathering after launching a series of development projects in the Chamkaur Sahib Assembly segment, he said, “The Akali leadership must answer for the bullets fired at innocent people in Bargari and for turning Punjab into a drug haven. Instead of addressing these tragedies, Sukhbir only boasts about imaginary development.”

The CM alleged that the decade-long rule of the Akalis from 2007 to 2017 was marred by transport, sand, cable and drug mafia.

Mann alleged that the Akalis patronised mafia, which used government vehicles to supply drugs.

He assured the public that no leniency would be shown to those responsible for this “genocide of youth”.

He also condemned political parties for allegedly supporting tainted leaders. Citing Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhpal Khaira, BJP’s Capt Amarinder Singh and MP Ravneet Bittu, the CM accused them of shielding former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who is lodged in a jail on drug-related charges.

“Their support exposes the nexus. Traditional political parties protected each other’s misdeeds,” said Mann, demanding that they clarify their stand on the issue.

Highlighting the achievements of the AAP government, Mann asserted that Punjab was moving forward with a transparent and merit-based recruitment process. He added that more than 55,000 government jobs had been provided to youths.

“Rather than moving abroad, now youngsters are opting to stay in Punjab and prepare for government jobs,” he added.

He said 90 per cent households had been receiving zero electricity bills and farmers were getting uninterrupted power supply for paddy cultivation. “Every section of society is being looked after. Punjab is on the path of progress,” claimed Mann.

Earlier, the CM inaugurated an upgraded sub-divisional hospital in Chamkaur Sahib. He also launched a STEM mobile bus aimed at enhancing learning for students from Classes VI to XII through hands-on experiments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Mann also distributed sports kits to young athletes and highlighted the success of the Sadak Surakhya Force, which has led to a 48 per cent drop in road accident deaths. Even the Government of India has praised this initiative, he said.

Meanwhile, the media was barred by security forces from asking questions to CM Mann.