Tarn Taran bypoll: Mann promises peace, development as Opposition tears into AAP over corruption

Opposition parties on Saturday launched a no-holds-barred attack against ruling AAP, accusing it of being mired in corruption and misusing the police, even as CM Bhagwant Mann promised peace and development while campaigning for the November 11 Tarn Taran bypoll.

The scathing criticism of ruling AAP came on the penultimate day of the election campaigning, which will end on Sunday. The ruling party has already been facing flak over the crime situation and corruption.

However, seeking votes for AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Mann reminded people of the Operation Blue Star and anti-Sikh riots under the Congress-ruled Centre in 1984.

He slammed the SAD, which was in power in the state in alliance with the BJP from 2007-17, for the desecration of Sikh holy books and killing of innocent youths in subsequent protests.

Mann claimed that AAP was the only sensible option for people. “If you vote for AAP, you would get education, better roads, sufficient electricity and a peaceful environment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal claimed that AAP had admitted defeat by “misusing police for political benefits”. Sukhbir levelled the allegation a day after he met the poll observer, alleging illegal detention of SAD leaders by the police.

Sukhbir vows ‘zero tax’ on bikes if voted to power

Campaigning for SAD nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, he tried to set the tone for the 2027 Assembly poll, promising “zero state tax” on two-wheelers, revival of kabaddi world cup and transforming Punjab into a hub for horse breeders. “It was SAD that had withdrawn tax on tractors. Now, as two-wheeler is considered the vehicle of the poor, we would remove tax on it if voted to power,” he said.

Sukhbir also said people of Tarn Taran would “teach a lesson” to the Congress as well as its state president Amrinder Raja Warring, who “insulted” the Dalits through disparaging remarks against the late community leader Buta Singh. “We are committed to reintroduce all social welfare schemes that have been discontinued by the Congress and AAP,” he said asking voters to back his party in the 2027 polls too.

“We will revive livestock fairs and construct race courses. Ours is an agrarian state and people here love to breed animals,” he added.

Delhi CM rakes up Sheesh Mahal row

Canvassing for the BJP, party’s Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta accused AAP of “first constructing a Sheesh Mahal by looting Delhi and now doing same in Punjab”.

She said this referring to the BJP allegations that AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal is being provided a “seven-star” accommodation in Chandigarh under Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s quota, despite him not being an elected MLA or a state minister. Kejriwal, when he was the Delhi CM, had faced similar accusations following alleged splurging of public money on the revamp of his official accommodation. Gupta also sought to corner AAP over recent floods, saying, “Why they didn’t take any measures to stop floods? At that time, AAP leaders were enjoying in the Sheesh Mahal,”

Only Congress can ensure equality in state, say Burj

Meanwhile, Congress candidate Karanbir Singh Burj claimed that people had been fed up with the ruling party.

Addressing a gathering at Mooe Khurd village, he said only the Congress could promise good governance and equality in every sphere of life.

“Corruption and the drug menace during the Akali regime hollowed out Punjab while AAP has misled people with false promises in the name of change,” Burj said.