Moga, April 4 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday criticized the previous Congress and Akali governments, accusing their leaders of draining the state's resources like "parasites" and said that even now, they have no agenda except "a lust for power."
Mann said his government is making strenuous efforts to make Punjab a leading state. "The day is not far when Punjab will become the number one state in the country," he claimed.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of several projects, the chief minister said the overwhelming public participation reflected growing trust in honest and clean politics.
He asserted that from upgrading over 47 km of key road networks and strengthening urban infrastructure to launching power projects worth Rs 18.80 crore and rolling out the 'Takseem' campaign from April 13, the government is delivering tangible change on the ground.
Mann emphasized that his government is committed to procuring every grain of farmers' wheat, ensuring no producer is left at the mercy of 'arhtiyas', who are on strike, seeking a 2.5 per cent commission of the minimum support price.
During his address, he said the traditional parties have repeatedly "betrayed" the people of Punjab.
"The people of Punjab can never forgive the Akalis as they have not only ruined Punjab and its people but have also disrespected the Guru and Gurbani," he alleged.
"The Akalis have conducted genocide of generations of Punjab by promoting and patronizing the drug trade," he further alleged.
"Akali leader Sukhbir Badal claims that all development of the state has taken place during their regime, but they keep a blind eye towards the sacrilege incidents of Bargari and Behbal Kalan," he added.
The chief minister said that the Akalis have bruised the psyche of every common man by using religion for their vested interests, which is an unpardonable sin, and they are hand in glove with forces inimical to the Panth and Punjab.
"The Akali-BJP and Congress governments have destroyed several generations of the state. These anti-Punjab forces are hand in glove with each other and leave no stone unturned to harm the interests of the state," he said.
Mann said that these leaders leave no stone unturned to speak against him because they are envious of the progress of Punjab, and urged people to unite and teach them a lesson by routing them out of the state.
"Sukhbir Badal, (Congress leaders) Raja Warring, Partap Singh Bajwa and others are alien to Punjab as they have nothing in common with the people," he added.
"From their schooling to wardrobe and habits, nothing matches the common Punjabis. These leaders are unaware of the problems faced by the people, as they have scant knowledge of Punjab," he said.
"They have never even visited the fields and are unaware of the hardships faced by farmers," Mann further said while targeting his rival leaders.
"People voted massively for these traditional parties, but previous governments looted Punjab. These leaders drained resources like parasites, and even today, they have no agenda except a lust for power," he alleged.
He accused them of competing with each other in abusing him and sending videos to their high command.
Announcing new initiatives, Mann said, "a new 'Takseem' scheme will ensure division of land within 30 days and will be implemented across Punjab from April 13."