MAJITHA (Amritsar):Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday launched a sharp political and ideological attack on the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, accusing him of abandoning his moral responsibility towards Sikh institutions and functioning as a “soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal”. The Chief Minister said it was deeply painful for the Panth that the head of the SGPC chose political allegiance over devotion to Guru Sahiban.

Addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stone of 23 rural link roads worth ₹11.32 crore in Majitha, Mann asserted that the people of Punjab would not allow any conspiracy to drag the state back into the dark phase of beadbi (sacrilege) and goondagardi. “Punjab has already paid a heavy price for politics of fear and intimidation. The people have rejected that path and will never allow its return,” he said.

In a major political announcement, the Chief Minister declared AAP leader Talbir Singh Gill as the party’s candidate from the Majitha Assembly constituency for the 2027 elections. He said Majitha no longer needed representatives who thrived on entitlement and intimidation. “The time has come for people to take decisions themselves. AAP believes in partnership with the people, not in making them petitioners before power,” Mann said.

Referring to the past atmosphere in Majitha, the Chief Minister said the area had once lived under constant fear. “A self-styled ‘jarnail’ ruled by filing false cases and silencing ordinary people. With the backing of both Congress and Akali governments, terror was institutionalised. Today, that fear has vanished because the people have reclaimed their voice,” he said.

Mann reminded the gathering of Majitha’s historical scars, saying the people could never forget how those in power had betrayed national and moral values. He said Punjab would not forgive forces that had repeatedly humiliated the masses and stained the state’s conscience with blood and injustice.

Warning against any return of the Akali Dal to power, Mann said it would mean the revival of the era marked by sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, firing on peaceful protestors and suppression of common citizens. “Punjab will not go back to that darkness,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister said the SIT formed to investigate the disappearance of 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was necessitated by the failures of the Akalis and the SGPC. “Our aim is only to trace the missing saroops. We have no intention of interfering in religious institutions,” he clarified.

He expressed anguish that instead of discharging his religious responsibilities, the SGPC president was busy organising political rallies. “Had he called himself a soldier of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, it would have been a matter of pride. But he proudly claims to be a soldier of Sukhbir Badal, who ruined Punjab through his politics. What can one expect from such a mindset?” Mann asked.

Reiterating the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Chief Minister said it stood above all political authority. “That is why I chose to appear before the Takht instead of attending the function of the President of India. For us, the Takht is supreme,” he said, accusing the Akalis of repeatedly undermining its sanctity by appointing and removing Jathedars at will.

Highlighting the achievements of his government, Mann said the first decision after assuming office in March 2022 was to provide free electricity to 90 per cent of households. Farmers were now receiving uninterrupted power supply, sparing them from risking their lives on freezing nights to irrigate their fields. “Punjab today is power surplus and moving towards becoming a national frontrunner,” he said.

Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Mann remarked that some leaders treated a single night’s stay in a poor household as an event. “I am myself a common man. I live the life of the people every day and understand their struggles,” he said.

The Chief Minister also spoke about the government’s commitment to preserving Punjab’s heritage, citing the commemoration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and promising more such initiatives to connect students with the state’s glorious legacy.

Special attention, he said, was being paid to border residents, whom he described as true patriots. He announced that the Centre had given in-principle approval to shift the border fence closer to the International Border, which would allow farmers to cultivate thousands of acres currently lying beyond the fencing. Mann said he had raised the issue with the Union Home Minister, highlighting the daily hardships faced by farmers who had to cross the fence under BSF escort to reach their own fields.

On development, the Chief Minister said the 23 rural link roads in Majitha would be upgraded at a cost of ₹11.32 crore, with ₹9.94 crore earmarked for renovation and ₹1.38 crore for maintenance over the next five years. “These roads were in a pathetic condition and caused immense hardship to farmers and commuters. Their upgradation will transform connectivity in the area,” he said.

Mann said Punjab had around 43,000 kilometres of link roads and his government had taken a historic decision to ensure their maintenance for five years. An AI-based survey and the CM Flying Squad, he added, had helped save ₹226.89 crore by checking inflated estimates. “This money was earlier siphoned off. Now it is being used for the welfare of Punjab,” he said.

Earlier, PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO welcomed the Chief Minister. Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, MLA Sarwan Singh Dhunn, senior AAP leader Talbir Singh Gill and other party leaders were present at the function.