Bhagwant Singh Mann slams Amit Shah over MSP, Punjab funds; investors’ summit sees strong response

SAS Nagar: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying his visit to the state failed to address key concerns of farmers and citizens, including minimum support price (MSP), loan waiver and a special financial package for Punjab.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit, Mann said people had expected major announcements but were disappointed. “We expected Amit Shah to speak about MSP, loan waiver or a special package for Punjab, but he left after merely abusing Punjabis,” the Chief Minister said.

Mann also accused the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of withholding Punjab’s rightful funds. He claimed that the Centre has not released the state’s Rural Development Fund (RDF), GST dues and ₹1,600 crore announced as flood relief compensation.

Raising the issue of law and order, the Chief Minister said gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was lodged in a jail in Gujarat and alleged that the BJP government there was not allowing him to be brought to Punjab.

On the issue of drug trafficking, Mann said stopping cross-border smuggling was primarily the responsibility of the Centre. However, he said the Punjab government had installed anti-drone systems along the international border using its own funds to curb the problem.

He also questioned the lack of action on large drug seizures outside the state, referring to the recovery of around 3,000 kg of narcotics at Mundra Port.

“In Gujarat, huge quantities of drugs are seized but there is no action, while Punjab has launched one of the country’s biggest campaigns against drugs,” Mann said.

The Chief Minister also attacked the BJP’s political ambitions in the state, saying the party lacked organisational strength in Punjab. “From where will the BJP bring 117 candidates to contest alone in Punjab?” he asked, taking a dig at the party’s plans for the 2027 Assembly elections.

Mann further said divisive politics would not succeed in the state. “Punjab’s soil is fertile, but the seeds of the BJP’s politics of religion and hatred will never grow here,” he said.

At the same time, the Chief Minister highlighted the response to the investment summit being held in the state. According to him, the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit has received strong participation from industry leaders and investors.

“Investors are interacting with each other and discussing business opportunities in Punjab,” Mann said, adding that the summit had created a platform for collaboration and new investments in the state’s economy.