Envious Opposition leaders want power only to settle scores, says Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday accused the state Opposition parties of being “envious of him for being a common man’s son” while alleging that their sole agenda was to attain power to settle scores rather than serving people.

Addressing a gathering at Rampura Phul after inaugurating a railway over bridge (ROB) built at a cost of Rs 56 crore, Mann said the opposition leaders were “eagerly waiting” for return to power in the hope of “teaching him a lesson for several pro-people initiatives”.

He said these leaders had no vision for the state or its people and wanted to grab power to “muzzle the common man’s voice”. They had plundered the wealth of the state for their vested political interests due to which people had ousted them,” he said attacking the Opposition.

The Chief Minister said traditional political parties are “envious of him” as they were “unable” to digest that a common man’s son was “governing the state effectively”. He said people had lost faith in such parties because of their “anti-people and anti-Punjab stance”.

Mann said it was a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Rs 5,000 crore was being spent to make the state “power-cut free” under the Roshan Punjab Project.

The CM said the 1,130-metre-long ROB would give huge reprieve to people as travel would become easier, saving people’s time, money and energy.

Channel energy in right direction, youth urged

Barnala: The CM here urged the youth to channel their energy in the right direction to contribute to the state’s socio-economic progress.

Addressing participants during the Regional Youth Festival at SD College, he called upon youngsters to draw inspiration from revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh. Mann said efforts were being made to provide jobs and opportunities for skill development.

Recalling his college days, he said youth festivals played a vital role in grooming overall personality and urged students to stay humble, confident and hardworking. He also praised Barnala’s rich literary heritage, calling it the “Literature Capital of Punjab”.

Meanwhile, some unemployed people raised slogans against the state government during the programme.