Patiala, August 22, 2026
Baltej Pannu, Media In-charge of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab, stated on Saturday that opposition parties have no answer to the unprecedented work done by the Bhagwant Mann government over the past four and a half years; consequently, they have resorted to mudslinging, leveling baseless allegations, and hatching conspiracies against CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and his associates.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Opponents have employed every possible tactic to defame CM Bhagwant Singh Mann but have failed, as the people of Punjab can clearly see the work being done by the government. Whenever the Chief Minister goes for a routine medical check-up or falls ill, opposition leaders circulate sensational and fabricated bulletins regarding his health. Similarly, whenever CM Bhagwant Singh Mann travels abroad to attract investment and business to Punjab, false rumors are deliberately spread with the sole aim of belittling him.”
He remarked that instead of responding to the achievements of the Bhagwant Mann government, the opposition is left with nothing but “mudslinging” against the Chief Minister and his colleagues. Baltej Pannu said, “A leader who has accomplished more for Punjab in four and a half years than previous governments did in 75 years is being targeted simply because the opposition has no answer to his track record.”
Baltej Pannu noted that this contrast is particularly evident in the sector of canal irrigation. He said, “When the Bhagwant Mann government came to power, only 21% of agricultural land was receiving canal water; today, that figure has risen to approximately 80%. The question should be: where was the rest of the water going for 45 years, and under what agreements was it being supplied to other states for free? Yet, the opposition does not want to discuss this.”
Speaking on education and healthcare, Baltej Pannu stated that the opposition has no answer to the transformation taking place across Punjab. He said, “Punjab’s education infrastructure has been transformed to such an extent that the state has surpassed Kerala to claim the top spot in education rankings. The government has also established *Mohalla Clinics*, revamped hospitals, provided free medicines and diagnostic tests, and launched a cashless healthcare coverage scheme of up to ₹10 lakh for every individual.”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge noted that the Bhagwant Mann government has fulfilled its promises across all sectors, including free electricity and financial assistance for women. He said, “Within just three months of forming the government, every household was provided with 600 units of free electricity every two months—a benefit that continues to this day. Under the *Mavan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana*, women now receive ₹1,000 per month (general category) and ₹1,500 per month (Scheduled Caste community), with approximately 80 lakh registrations already completed.”
Baltej Pannu added that the formation and operations of the Road Safety Force (SSF) have yielded remarkable results in road safety. He remarked that the opposition is left speechless in the face of such achievements.
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge observed that the people of Punjab had repeatedly witnessed the same political patterns from traditional parties, and the rise of AAP has challenged the old political order. He said, “Previously, one party would win simply by campaigning against another. The arrival of AAP challenged that old political arrangement. Leaders of traditional parties have now united because they have nothing positive to offer the people.” He pointed out that opponents have now started a “new exercise” of targeting CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and his close associates because they cannot find any fault with the government’s performance. Pannu stated that they hope the people of Punjab will believe them if they keep leveling allegations against the Chief Minister, his family, and his associates. However, the public will not trust them, as these parties have already betrayed the trust of the people of Punjab.
Regarding the allegations leveled against the Chief Minister’s OSD, Rajbir Ghumman, Baltej Pannu questioned the manner in which Bikram Singh Majithia was publicly presenting the Enforcement Directorate’s letter. He remarked that it was surprising to see Majithia presenting the ED’s letter as if he were the agency’s spokesperson. Now that Rajbir Ghumman has issued a legal notice demanding evidence for these allegations, those making the claims will have to substantiate their statements.
Baltej Pannu also criticized the allegations made against CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s wife by Ranjit Singh, a relative of Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira. He stated, “Such serious allegations cannot be leveled based merely on claims without presenting any evidence or proof.”
He added, “It is astonishing that a person who has held high office—and who understands that allegations must be backed by evidence—has stooped to such a low level of politics, driven solely by a desperate desire to return to power.”
Targeting Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Baltej Pannu remarked that the Congress leader has made spreading negativity his daily routine. He noted that Khaira begins spreading negativity at 6 AM every day. People have stopped listening to, reading, or watching him because they are fed up with this brand of negative politics.
Baltej Pannu stated that the Bhagwant Mann government would continue to focus on development rather than getting distracted by the negative politics of its opponents. “The people of Punjab know the difference between a government that delivers results and parties that merely level allegations. No amount of mudslinging can erase the work that people can see and experience for themselves.”
Pannu reiterated that the AAP would not tolerate deliberate attempts to malign individuals through baseless accusations. He added, “If someone levels allegations without evidence, we have the legal right to take action in accordance with the law. Those making accusations must be prepared to face legal consequences if they fail to substantiate their claims.”
