Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has strongly criticized the opposition, accusing them of exploiting the recent floods for political gains. Speaking during a special session of the Vidhan Sabha, he declared that the people of Punjab will never forgive those “insensitive and opportunist politicians” who sought publicity instead of helping in relief work.
Mann said the session was intended to discuss rehabilitation measures, but instead opposition leaders turned it into a stage for criticism. He reminded the House that Punjab has always demonstrated resilience, citing the Battle of Saragarhi and the Battle of Longewala as examples of the Punjabi spirit that overcomes the harshest odds. “The natural disasters even bowed before the hard work and determination of the Punjabis,” he remarked.
While recalling Punjab’s contributions to the nation—from ensuring food security to protecting borders—Mann also expressed disappointment with the Union Government. He pointed out that after the Dinanagar terror attack, the Centre had even asked Punjab to bear the cost of army operations, a clear indication of neglect.
The Chief Minister issued a call for unity, urging Punjabis to come together in this hour of crisis. He assured that if required, he would protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence to demand justice. “History will remember all those who worked for the welfare of the state in this hour of crisis and the others who created obstacles,” he warned.
Mann dismissed allegations that the floods were manmade, challenging critics to explain whether the disasters in Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand were also “planned.” He argued that politicizing a natural catastrophe was shameful and unhelpful when thousands of families were in distress.
He detailed the scale of devastation: 2,300 villages submerged, over two million people affected, and crops destroyed across five lakh acres. Fifty-six lives were lost, seven lakh people displaced, and infrastructure worth thousands of crores ruined, including schools, colleges, hospitals, bridges, and roads. Early assessments suggest damages of nearly Rs 13,800 crore.
The Chief Minister said his government has been proactive. In just three years, it cleared 3,825 kilometers of drains compared to the 2,066 kilometers done by previous governments. He emphasized the need for desilting Bhakra and Pong dams, which has been pending for decades. In his view, timely desilting of the Ghaggar river helped prevent further flooding.
Mann also lashed out at the India Meteorological Department, saying its predictions were “far from the truth.” On some days, rainfall was recorded at nearly twenty times higher than forecasted, which in his words “raised serious question marks over their credibility.”
The Chief Minister criticized the Centre’s inadequate aid. “The Prime Minister gave only Rs 1,600 crore, which is a minuscule amount,” he said, adding that this would barely provide Rs 80 lakh to each flood-affected village. He alleged that the Prime Minister selectively met only a few leaders during his visit while ignoring the real victims of the disaster. “It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister shows little concern for the problems faced by the countrymen,” Mann added.
He went on to accuse opposition leaders of indulging in photo sessions instead of genuine service. He praised the efforts of youth, the army, and volunteers who risked their lives to save others, contrasting their courage with what he called the hypocrisy of political rivals.
In order to accelerate relief, the state government has launched the Rangla Punjab Fund, which has already seen strong public response. Mann clarified that the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund had restrictions on contributions, which is why a new fund was created. “Every penny will be used for the welfare of flood-affected people,” he assured.
Finally, Mann turned his criticism towards the Akali leadership. He accused Sukhbir Singh Badal of misleading people by boasting about development and raising walls along rivers while ignoring basic needs such as streets. He also reminded the public of unresolved issues like the sacrilege incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan. According to him, the Akalis’ misrule left Punjab with unfulfilled promises, and their current posturing is nothing but an attempt to rewrite history.
