A New Era of Accountability: Mann Govt's Uncompromising Stand Against Corruption in Punjab

The arrest of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raman Arora from Jalandhar Central in a corruption case has sent a strong and unequivocal message across Punjab’s political spectrum: no one is above the law, not even those within the ruling party. As details emerge of his alleged involvement in demanding bribes for official favours, what becomes abundantly clear is Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s continued resolve to uphold integrity in governance—even at political cost.

Arora’s arrest by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, following hours of questioning, is not an isolated incident. It is the latest in a growing list of corruption-related actions taken by the Mann government, reflecting a consistent and principled stance. In a state long plagued by entrenched political patronage and impunity for the powerful, this approach is not merely rare—it is revolutionary.

Walking the Talk: Integrity Begins at Home

From the moment Bhagwant Mann assumed office in March 2022, he signalled that the fight against corruption would be central to his administration. His first major move was both symbolic and practical: the sacking and arrest of his own Health Minister, Dr. Vijay Singla. Singla was accused of demanding a 1% commission on departmental contracts—allegations Mann acted upon immediately after receiving credible information.

This decision was not without risk. The move invited political backlash and scrutiny from opposition parties eager to frame the new government as internally fractured. But Mann’s response was unambiguous: “We have to clean up the system, and that starts with our own house.” It was a line in the sand few politicians are ever willing to draw.

Anti-Corruption, Systemically Pursued

Far from being a one-off, the dismissal of Singla was the beginning of a broader policy implementation. In February 2023, another AAP legislator, Amit Rattan Kotfatta, was arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹4 lakh to release official grants. Here again, the Mann administration took no protective stance. The legislator was arrested based on a complaint and corroborative audio evidence—sending yet another message that political connections offer no immunity under this regime.

Even more significantly, the government institutionalised this fight by launching an anti-corruption helpline—a platform through which citizens could submit audio or video evidence of bribery and misconduct. Within a year, this helpline led to the arrest of over 300 individuals, including bureaucrats, junior officials, contractors, and even political leaders. It empowered ordinary citizens in a way that no anti-corruption law ever had—by giving them a direct line to justice.

Taking on the Old Guard

While it would have been easy to target low-hanging fruit or conveniently ignore the past, the Mann government has not spared influential figures from previous regimes either. Former Congress ministers such as Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, and Sunder Sham Arora have been under the scanner, with some even arrested for acts of corruption during their tenures.

The investigations have revealed misappropriation of funds, tender manipulation, and misuse of public office. Dharamsot, for instance, was arrested over irregularities in the disbursal of post-matric scholarships meant for Dalit students—an act that didn’t just involve financial misconduct, but one with deep moral implications.

Addressing the Critics

Unsurprisingly, these actions have drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties. Some have accused the AAP government of using the anti-corruption narrative as a smokescreen to divert attention from other issues such as unemployment, drug addiction, or economic challenges. Others claim the arrests are politically motivated or part of a “witch hunt.”

However, such criticisms lose ground when one considers the inclusion of AAP’s own MLAs in the list of those held accountable. Arresting sitting members of your own party does not reflect selective vendetta—it reflects a functional and credible commitment to reform. And that is what sets the Mann government apart from its predecessors.

Rebuilding a Corroded Public Trust

The political class in Punjab, across party lines, has long been viewed with skepticism by the public. This loss of faith has not been sudden—it is the result of decades of misgovernance, broken promises, and visible corruption. For the Mann government, rebuilding this trust is both the greatest challenge and its highest calling.

Transparency alone, however, cannot do the job. What is needed is structural reform. To this end, Mann’s administration has taken steps to digitise public services, introduce e-tendering in all departments, and create checks on discretionary powers in fund allocation and contract approvals. These may seem procedural on paper, but in practice, they strike at the very heart of Punjab’s historically corrupt administrative machinery.

*Challenges Ahead*

It would be naive to assume the battle has been won. Corruption is not a weed that can be plucked out—it is more like a fungus, growing back in different corners when left unchecked. Punjab still struggles with deeply embedded networks of patronage, particularly in real estate, transport, and agriculture. Tackling these will require sustained political will and public cooperation.

Moreover, the government must be careful to ensure that anti-corruption actions do not paralyse governance. Fear-driven bureaucracy can often lead to decision-making paralysis, especially in departments where officers fear investigations even for honest mistakes. A nuanced approach—where intent is judged fairly and transparency is promoted through education and incentives—is the need of the hour.

*A Model Worth Replicating*

There is a growing national conversation about the kind of leadership India needs at the state level. The Mann government’s model—where governance is tied to ethics and public interest rather than political survival—offers a compelling case study. It is a model that other states would do well to consider, particularly those facing public disenchantment and voter apathy.

Mann’s anti-corruption push is not just about law enforcement—it is about transforming the political culture of Punjab. It is about reminding the people that their government serves them, not the other way around. And in doing so, it is about setting the foundation for a new kind of politics—one that is accountable, transparent, and just.

The arrest of MLA Raman Arora may appear to some as a political setback for the ruling AAP government. In truth, it is its defining strength. Bhagwant Mann’s administration has shown that it will not compromise on the principles it was elected upon, even if that means jailing one of its own. That is not weakness; that is courage.

In a state hungry for honest leadership, the Mann government’s actions offer a reason for optimism. There is much still to be done, but for the first time in decades, Punjab has a government that appears to be listening—not just with words, but with action.