Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal while addressing a public event, where the state government distributed licences to 2,800 new ration depot holders.
During his speech, Mann accused the Congress of being busy with internal politics instead of working for the people of Punjab and claimed that Congress leaders are fighting among themselves only for the chief minister's post.
"They are fighting only for the chair. They have not even got the chair yet, and if the only goal is power, then they should never get it," Mann said while addressing the gathering.
The Chief Minister also made a serious allegation regarding the Congress leadership, claiming that even Congress leaders themselves had spoken about a price of ₹500 crore to become the Chief Minister and alleged that if someone spends such a huge amount to get the top post, they would later recover that money through corruption.
According to Mann, such money would ultimately come at the cost of public welfare and said funds meant for schools, hospitals, employment opportunities and development would suffer if leaders focused on recovering the money they had allegedly spent to gain power.
The Chief Minister also targeted the Shiromani Akali Dal. Referring to the previous Akali government, Mann alleged that narcotics were transported in vehicles carrying official beacon lights and without presenting evidence during the speech, he claimed that drugs were protected under the earlier administration.
Mann further claimed that if opposition parties return to power, they would reverse several welfare schemes started by his government and defended initiatives such as regularising long-serving employees, improving government schools and strengthening public services.