Bhagwant Mann speaks on ticket distribution, targets opposition
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has termed the decision on election tickets as the party leadership's prerogative and asked leaders to maintain discipline. He also spoke about Akali Dal's infighting and electricity bills.
Interacting with the media in Chandigarh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the final authority to decide tickets for the assembly elections rests with the party's central leadership. Amid discussions over cabinet minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian not being fielded in the elections, he said that for every leader, the organization's directive is supreme.
The Chief Minister said that the total number of constituencies in the state is only 117, whereas lakhs of workers are associated with the party. It is not possible to give a ticket to everyone, therefore those who are not being fielded will render their services within the organizational structure. He shared that out of the 31 seats announced the previous day, absolutely new faces have been given an opportunity on 25 seats.
Citing his own example, the Chief Minister shared that in 2017 he entered the electoral fray from Jalalabad constituency at the party's behest and also accepted the responsibility given as Chief Minister in the year 2022. He said that some resentment due to not getting a ticket is natural, but breaking party discipline is not correct.
During this, the Chief Minister also announced the launch of a new OTS scheme for pending electricity bills of domestic consumers. He stated that the interest and penalty on arrears up to March 31, 2026, will be completely waived, which will benefit more than 24 lakh households to the tune of 518 crore rupees and disconnected connections will also be restored.
Speaking about the potential alliance between Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party, the Chief Minister took a jibe saying that multiplying zero with zero results in zero, so it will have no effect on AAP. Mentioning Bibi Jagir Kaur and Prem Singh Chandumajra, he also attacked the internal infighting of the Akali Dal.
Regarding stubble burning smoke and rising pollution in Delhi, he said that blaming Punjab alone for this issue is wrong. He argued that despite high-speed winds, smoke from here takes several days to reach the national capital, so the state should not be defamed unnecessarily.
Key developments
- Chief Minister says party high command's decision on ticket distribution is supreme
- New faces given opportunity on 25 out of 31 announced candidates
- OTS scheme announced waiving penalty and interest for pending electricity bills
- Called Akali-BJP alliance discussions ineffective for AAP
- Opposed holding Punjab responsible for pollution on stubble issue
-800x535.webp)
