Hoshiarpur (Punjab), May 3 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, accusing them of spreading "malicious propaganda" despite failing to curb the drug menace in the state or enact strict legislation against sacrilege.
Addressing a 'Lok Milni' outreach programme at Ghogra village in Dasuya assembly constituency here, the chief minister asserted that the newly-enacted Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, has "closed the chapter" on sacrilege incidents by introducing stricter punishments including life imprisonment.
He alleged that previous governments lacked the intent to bring such a law despite repeated incidents.
"If the opposition had honest intentions, they would have enacted a strict law long ago. We have now ensured that anyone indulging in 'beadbi' (sacrilege) will face harshest punishment," Mann said.
He also responded to criticism from opposition parties pertaining to his "conduct" at the Assembly, saying attempts were being made to defame him through "false, baseless and misleading propaganda", including personal attacks.
"My life is an open book. I have dedicated it to the welfare of Punjab and its people," he said, asserting that such negative campaigns would not deter him.
"Envious of the unprecedented progress and prosperity of the state, these miscreants are unleashing malicious and unnecessary propaganda against me. These forces which are inimical to the development of the state and prosperity of its people, are now stooping too low to defame me on frivolous issues," he said.
On governance approach, he said, "I have always been in the field to take feedback from people for framing development-oriented and citizen-centric policies, thereby giving a major boost to the development of Punjab. This has upset the entire opposition who have joined their hands against me with a clear strategy to defame me by levelling false and baseless allegations."
Earlier, opposition leaders including several from Punjab BJP alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann arrived for the special session of the assembly on Friday in an "inebriated state", calling it a serious issue.
Punjab Finance Minister and senior AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema, while replying to questions on the allegation against Mann, had maintained that the opposition has levelled false and baseless allegations to defame the chief minister.
In keeping with his aggressive political pitch, Bhagwant Mann said opposition parties were trying to "mislead people through fake narratives", but asserted that the electorate would "teach them a lesson".
"These forces cannot deter me from serving the people. I will continue to work for Punjab till my last breath," he said.
The chief minister accused opposition parties of being "anti-Punjab" and claimed they were unsettled because strict action was now being taken against drug networks.
Launching a direct attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal, he alleged that Punjab was "drowned in drugs" during its rule, and the current crackdown has made opposition leaders uncomfortable.
"Drug trade flourished under their patronage. Now, when action is being taken, they are feeling uneasy," he claimed.
The chief minister also criticised the Congress, calling it a "divided house" where multiple leaders aspire to become chief minister. He said internal infighting would weaken the party in the 2027 assembly elections.
Reiterating his governance model, Mann said public money is now being spent on public welfare rather than "going into the pockets of leaders", claiming that was the practice during previous governments.
"This is the fundamental difference between us and them," he said.
Mann said his government had provided free electricity to around 90 per cent of households, given more than 65,000 government jobs without corruption, improved infrastructure, and shut toll plazas -- saving around Rs 70 lakh daily for commuters.
On women empowerment, Mann said monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to general category women and Rs 1,500 to SC category women above 18 years was being provided under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna.
Alleging that successive governments had failed the people, the chief minister said even after nearly 80 years of Independence, "three generations have been wasted" due to misgovernance.
"Those who ruled earlier never understood that poverty resides in the streets. They spoke their own mind and left, but never listened to the people," he said, adding that voters eventually "exposed their empty claims" through the ballot.
He further asserted that as long as the AAP remains in power in Punjab, women will continue to receive financial assistance under the Sanmaan Raashi scheme, and households will get free electricity.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said he had not come to deliver a formal speech but to directly interact with people on issues concerning their daily lives, including household needs, agriculture, education and employment.
Such conversations about food, farming, children's education, jobs, and concerns of women and the elderly had never been raised in this manner earlier, he said at the 'Lok Milni' programme.