AAP’s Victory in Tarn Taran Will Strengthen CM Mann’s Mission to Make Punjab Drug-Free: Manish Sisodia
Punjab Newsline, Tarn Taran-
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, accompanied by AAP Punjab In-charge Manish Sisodia, Punjab President Aman Arora, and AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu, addressed a massive volunteer meeting in Tarn Taran today. The event turned into a grand rally, witnessing an unprecedented turnout of members and incharges from 103 villages and 23 wards of Tarn Taran assembly constituency. The gathering was also attended by AAP Punjab Working President Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi, Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar (Tarn Taran by-election incharge), several cabinet ministers, MLAs, and senior party leaders. The overwhelming enthusiasm among workers reflected the public mood, AAP is poised for a landslide victory in the Tarn Taran by-election.
Chief Minister began his address by saying that Punjab has always been blessed by the Gurus to lead from the front. “This land has been destined to guide others, it carries the divine gift of leadership,” he said. Mann added that while Punjab has gone through several challenges, including drug abuse, corruption, and bribery, his government has been working relentlessly to heal and reform the system, and much progress has already been achieved.
Mann said this by-election was not supposed to happen. “The people had elected Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal for five years. He was a noble soul devoted to social service and wanted to help people through politics. But destiny had other plans. Today, we are gathered here to pay homage to him,” he said.
CM Mann urged people to vote wisely on November 11, saying, “For the next one and a half years, you will decide Tarn Taran’s destiny.” He warned against the propaganda and lies of opposition parties, particularly dynast politicians who lost their power to the common people. “They are restless. Those who were thrown out of their luxurious chairs by the sons and daughters of common homes are desperate to reclaim them. They call this a ‘semifinal for 2027’, but this is not a game; this is a vote for truth and development.”
Mann said Tarn Taran has seen days of pain and loss, when families lost multiple members in a single day to violence and drugs. “Previous governments propelled our youth towards gangsterism and rebels, threatened common people with fake FIRs and cases. But for the last three and a half years, not a single false case has been registered,” he said. He asked, “Has anyone heard them talk about electricity, schools, hospitals, or roads? We brought Punjab back on track after 75 years of chaos. The journey was hard, but with honesty and intent, everything becomes possible.”
Mann launched a fierce attack on opposition parties, saying, “These people injected drugs into the veins of our youth, and violence into the holy soil of Punjab through bombs and bullets at sacred sites. We are cleansing this system. Electricity now runs during the day in fields, schools and hospitals are thriving, and governance is transparent,” he asserted.
Taking a sharp dig at the BJP, Mann said, “BJP has a habit of eating up its allies, they finished parties of Chautala, Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and now they say they’ll finish Nitish Kumar. Whoever joins them, disappears. The only party that belongs to the people is AAP. If others had done their duty, we wouldn’t have been needed here.”
Mann ridiculed Sukhbir Singh Badal for taking credit for every project in Punjab. “He says every mandi, every road, every bridge was built by Badal Sahb (Parkash Singh Badal). Then why does he fall silent when he crosses Bargari and Kotkapura? Wasn’t it his government that unleashed water cannons and bullets on peaceful Sikh protesters? Those who once twirled their moustaches in arrogance are now facing the law, the papers they once denied even existed are now catching up with them,” Mann said.
Mann reminded people of the sacrilege incidents and the corruption of previous regimes. “Will you forget those who disrespected our Gurus and looted Punjab’s treasure? They even distributed money from the Guru’s Golak (holy offerings) during floods for photographs and then forced sarpanches to return it. Their pockets can take money, but it never comes out,” he said.
Mann added that Akali leaders’ arrogance is generations old: “Their ancestors hosted General Dyer for dinner the very evening he massacred innocents at Jallianwala Bagh. Later, he was even honoured with a siropa at Darbar Sahib by a Jathedar who was Simranjit Singh Mann’s own grandfather. Betrayal runs in their blood since the British era.”
Those Who Looted Punjab’s Wealth and Drugged Its Youth Will Face No Mercy, Warns Mann
Referring to leaders like Bajwa and Majithia, Mann said, “They flaunt cars worth crores, run illegal gold smuggling from across the Ravi, and then cry democracy when we take legal action. We will not spare anyone who harmed Punjab, no sympathy, no mercy, only justice.”
Historic Assembly Session at Anandpur Sahib on Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s 350th Martyrdom
CM Mann announced that, for the first time in history, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will convene outside Chandigarh, at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 24, to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. “Some call it a drama, but those who insult our Gurus will be rejected by the people on November 11,” he said.
Concluding his address, CM Bhagwant Mann announced that he will return to Tarn Taran on October 26 to conduct a grans roadshow, and visit several villages in the region. “On November 14, the voting machines will reveal who the people trust most. If you believe I think about you and your children’s future, then press the 'jharoo' button without hesitation," said Mann.
Addressing the meeting in Tarn Taran, AAP Punjab In-charge Manish Sisodia urged party volunteers to work hard to ensure a decisive victory for AAP candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu, saying that this election is not just about electing an MLA, but about strengthening Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s mission to make Punjab completely drug-free. Sisodia said that CM Mann has vowed to root out the drug menace from every corner of the state, and it is crucial that Tarn Taran, one of the most affected regions, supports this mission by electing a representative who will fight against drugs, not protect the drug trade. He warned that electing anyone from the opposition would risk empowering those who run the drug networks and would derail Punjab’s fight for a healthy future generation.
Sisodia praised Harmeet Singh Sandhu’s popularity, credibility, and long record of public service, calling him a people’s leader who has always worked at the grassroots. He said that a vote for Sandhu is a vote for Bhagwant Mann’s agenda of quality education, honest governance, sports development, employment opportunities, and strong infrastructure.
AAP Punjab President Aman Arora paid heartfelt tributes to late Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal, calling him a dedicated comrade and a pillar of strength during AAP’s early struggles. Arora said the upcoming Tarn Taran by-election should serve as a true tribute to Dr. Sohal’s legacy, a chance to honour his commitment by ensuring AAP’s victory once again.