Zira (Ferozepur), September 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann welcomed Gurpreet Singh Sekhon and thousands of his supporters into the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during a massive gathering in Zira, saying the public response reflected growing faith in the politics of performance and development over traditional political parties.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said the AAP government was working round the clock for the welfare of Punjab. He highlighted the establishment of around 1,100 Mohalla Clinics, daytime electricity supply for farmers and canal water for irrigation, while claiming that more than 90 per cent of households were receiving zero electricity bills.
Taking aim at the Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress, Mann alleged that the opposition parties had no constructive vision for Punjab beyond criticising him and his government. He said the Akali Dal, which once claimed it could rule Punjab for 25 years, had now been reduced to a limited group, while the Congress remained caught in internal differences despite repeated efforts by Rahul Gandhi to unite its leaders.
Mann said politics for him was a means of serving the people and that he was discharging this responsibility with honesty and dedication.
Welcoming Sekhon and his supporters, the Chief Minister said their decision to join AAP reflected growing public confidence in the party's policies and development-oriented governance.
“Joining a political party is not merely about holding a position. It is about accepting the responsibility of serving society,” Mann said, urging the new members to remain connected with people, listen to their concerns and work at the grassroots level.
He said people were increasingly moving away from traditional politics and choosing a political movement that prioritised public welfare and development over personal interests.
“People now want politics that delivers results, works for them and remains connected to their everyday problems. AAP is a movement of common people and grassroots workers,” Mann said.
The Chief Minister highlighted several initiatives of his government, including healthcare, education, infrastructure and employment. He said around 1,100 Aam Aadmi Clinics had been established across Punjab to provide healthcare facilities close to people's homes without imposing an additional financial burden on them.
Mann also said the government had ensured daytime electricity for agriculture and canal water for irrigation, which he claimed had provided greater convenience to farmers and could help reduce dependence on groundwater.
He further claimed that more than 70,000 young people had been provided government jobs without corruption, while road infrastructure had been improved and toll plazas had been closed, resulting in savings of around Rs 70 lakh every day. He said the government was also strengthening education and healthcare infrastructure and undertaking development works in villages.
According to Mann, around 3,100 sports stadiums were being developed across the state to provide opportunities to young people and help keep them away from drugs.
He also highlighted the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana’, under which every resident family in Punjab is to receive cashless, free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh. Mann described the initiative as a landmark step towards comprehensive healthcare coverage.
He said the ‘Mavan Dhian Satkar Yojana’ would provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to women beneficiaries above the age of 18 and Rs 1,500 to SC women from July 1. The assistance would be transferred directly into bank accounts, with women already receiving social security pensions also eligible. The scheme is expected to benefit around 97 per cent of women in Punjab, with Rs 9,300 crore allocated in the budget, he said.
Attacking the opposition, Mann said the Akali Dal and Congress had failed to present a clear vision for employment, education, healthcare, agriculture and Punjab's economic future.
He said the massive gathering in Zira and the entry of thousands of supporters into AAP demonstrated that people were looking for a political alternative based on performance and public service.
Mann urged AAP workers to remain united, disciplined and committed to public service, saying the party's strength lay in its workers and the people.
He said Punjab had enormous potential and could regain its leading position in the country through proper utilisation of its resources and human talent.
“The journey of Punjab's transformation is continuing. The people gave us an opportunity to serve the state, and we are fulfilling that responsibility with complete honesty,” Mann said, adding that the final decision in a democracy always rests with the people.
