"Show Results First”: Punjab CM Mann hits out at Rahul Gandhi, Sidhu, dismisses rigging claims in Panchayat polls
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 13, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, accusing them of seeking top political positions without first proving their performance on the ground.
Addressing a media briefing, Mann drew a parallel between national and state-level Congress leadership ambitions. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister said that while Gandhi keeps asking to be made Prime Minister with promises of future action, people across the country are demanding results first. “People are saying—do something, show your work, and then we will consider making you Prime Minister,” Mann remarked.
Extending the comparison to Punjab politics, Mann said Navjot Singh Sidhu follows the same approach. “Sidhu wants Punjabis to make him Chief Minister, but the people are clearly saying—show us your performance first, then we’ll think about it,” he said.
Mann’s remarks come amid renewed infighting within the Congress, triggered by recent public statements from Navjot Kaur Sidhu criticising her own party leadership. Without naming her, the Chief Minister said such open disputes reflect a lack of direction and accountability within the Congress.
The Chief Minister also targeted opposition parties over allegations of rigging in the ongoing rural local body elections. Referring to claims of pre-printed ballot papers, Mann said a former Chief Minister, who held office for just over 100 days, was making “irresponsible and baseless statements” after sensing defeat. “Those who feel they are losing often start bellyaching and spreading false narratives,” he said.
Rejecting allegations of misuse of official machinery, Mann pointed out that thousands of opposition candidates are contesting the elections. “If the government were misusing power, why would 2,433 Congress and 1,814 Akali candidates be in the fray for Panchayat Samiti polls? In fact, three Congress and eight Independent candidates have already been elected unopposed,” he added.
Taking a sharper tone, Mann accused opposition leaders of having looted Punjab while in power and now portraying themselves as messiahs. He alleged that individuals from whose homes crores of rupees in cash were recovered are now questioning the integrity of the present government. “We are ready to face every challenge to prove our honesty,” he said.
Referring to a viral video in which a young voter questions an Akali Dal candidate over the decline of his village, Mann said the video reflects the genuine pain of the youth—something, he claimed, opposition leaders have failed to understand.
He further accused opposition parties of treating constitutional posts meant for public service as commodities to be traded for political gain. “Hungry for power, they set conditions even for serving the people and then portray it as a favour,” Mann said.
Highlighting transparency in the electoral process, the Chief Minister said that in the 347 Zila Parishad zones, a total of 1,396 candidates from all parties are contesting, and the elections are being conducted in a completely fair and transparent manner. He accused former ruling parties of trying to deflect attention from their past misgovernance by making false allegations of electoral malpractice.