Chandigarh, 27 Sept: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday accused opposition leaders of politicizing the state’s flood crisis, calling their actions “insensitive and opportunist.”
Addressing the Vidhan Sabha during a special session on flood rehabilitation, Mann said the people of Punjab would never forgive such betrayal.
“It is unfortunate that instead of extending a healing hand during these floods, so-called experienced politicians are spewing venom against the government,” he said. “These leaders are using the crisis to further their vested political interests. While the people were struggling for relief and rehabilitation, they were desperately trying to hog media attention.”
Mann said the session was convened to discuss rehabilitation, but opposition criticism had reduced it to a platform for political point-scoring. “Punjab is a blessed land and has always risen from adversity, yet these backstabbers consistently try to undermine it,” he noted, citing historical examples like the Battle of Saragarhi and the Battle of Longewala to highlight the state’s resilience and courage.
The Chief Minister stressed Punjab’s longstanding contributions to the nation, from food production to safeguarding borders and supporting the freedom struggle. “Yet, whenever Punjab faces a problem, the Union government turns insensitive, leaving us to fend for ourselves,” he said, referring to post-Dinanagar attack expectations where the state was asked to bear costs incurred by the Indian Army neutralizing cross-border terrorism.
Calling for unity, Mann urged Punjabis to come together to rebuild the state. “If needed, I will not hesitate to stage a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence for the sake of Punjab. I am not afraid of misuse of central agencies to muzzle democracy. History will remember those who stood for Punjab and those who created obstacles,” he said.
Mann urged leaders to use their influence to help citizens navigate the crisis. “This is the real service to Punjab. With coordinated efforts of the government and philanthropists, Punjab will soon reclaim its position as a frontrunner state in the country.”
The Chief Minister challenged the opposition’s claims that the floods were manmade. “I dare the opposition to explain how floods in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and other states were supposedly orchestrated by my government,” he said, urging them to stop politics during a natural disaster.
Punjab has suffered extensive damage, Mann said, with over 2,300 villages submerged, more than two million people affected, and five lakh acres of crops destroyed. Tragically, 56 lives were lost, seven lakh people rendered homeless, and thousands of schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges damaged. “Initial estimates put losses at Rs 13,800 crore, and it could rise further,” he said.
Highlighting government efforts, Mann said 3,825 km of drains were desilted in three years, compared with 2,066 km under the previous regime. He noted ongoing pleas to the Union government for desilting of Bhakra and Pong dams, which had not been done for 70 years. “Due to desilting of the Ghaggar river this year, excess water did not result in floods,” he added.
Mann criticized the Indian Meteorological Department for inaccurate forecasts, citing one day when rainfall exceeded predictions by 1,961%. He also said Pong Dam received 60.4% more water than in the 1988 floods, Bhakra 2.65% more, and Ranjit Sagar Dam 65.3% more than 2023 levels, overwhelming existing flood management systems.
On central aid, Mann said the State Disaster Relief Fund, previously Calamity Relief Fund, had received Rs 6,190 crore over 25 years, yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit resulted in only Rs 1,600 crore being sanctioned. “This amounts to roughly Rs 80 lakh per flood-affected village—a miniscule sum,” he said, criticizing the PM for meeting only select political leaders instead of flood victims.
Mann expressed gratitude to volunteers, the Army, and social workers who saved lives during the floods, contrasting their efforts with opposition leaders who “used the crisis for photo sessions.” He added that Union Ministers, too, appeared for symbolic visits, resulting in “a cruel joke in the form of Rs 1,600 crore aid.”
Highlighting his administration’s proactive approach, Mann said the first flood control meeting was held on April 4, compared to July meetings under previous Congress governments. He also announced the Rangla Punjab Fund for expedited relief and rehabilitation, emphasizing its transparent and wide-based contribution mechanism beyond limits of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Taking aim at Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mann said, “He now boasts of building concrete walls along rivers, yet people know they failed to even construct streets during their long misrule. Funds are being rotated to mislead the public. He ignores serious issues like Kotakpura and Behbal Kalan, where sacrilege and killings occurred.”
Mann concluded by calling for a united front to steer Punjab out of the crisis. “This is the time to join hands, sink differences, and work for the welfare of the people,” he said.
