22 December 2025 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday trained his guns on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accusing it of “introducing drugs” in Punjab and claiming that it wanted to take the state backwards.
He also took a dig at the suggestion of the party’s political comeback in the state, likening it to extinct “dinosaurs”.
Mann’s comments come close on the heels of the Shiromani Akali Dal regaining some ground in the recent zila parishad and block samiti elections.
The party, which has been trying hard to re-emerge as a major political contender in the state after the ouster from power in 2017, also grabbed the second spot in the Tarn Taran Assembly bypoll held in November.
Attacking the SAD, Mann said while his government was making strenuous efforts to make Punjabi youth as doctors and engineers, the Akalis were bent upon “dragging them back to the dinosaur-era”.
“The Akali Dal, which had ruined the youth by introducing drugs in the state, wants to take the state back to the dinosaur era,” he said, claiming that people would soon “deflate its balloon”.
He said the participation of 23.3 lakh parents in recent mega teacher-parent meetings in government schools was a sign of bright future.
Replying to a query about the opposition to a nagar kirtan in New Zealand, Mann said the Centre should take up the issue with the government there.
He said New Zealand was an educated country and the issue had become a global concern.
Earlier today, the CM held a meeting with panchayat representatives in the Dhuri Assembly constituency and reviewed the progress of development projects.
He told sarpanchs to carry out development works on a priority basis.
Mann congratulated newly elected members of zila parishads and block samitis. “The oath-taking ceremony will be held in the first week of January, followed by training sessions at MGSIPA (Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration),” he said.
Summary:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of introducing and promoting drug culture in the state during their tenure. He claimed that the party’s policies pushed Punjab into a serious drug crisis and alleged that the Akalis are now trying to take the state backward again for political gain. CM Mann reiterated his government’s commitment to fighting drugs and ensuring a progressive, drug-free Punjab.