Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday launched a sharp political offensive against both the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress, accusing them of betraying public trust and pushing Punjab into crises ranging from sacrilege incidents to drugs and corruption.Addressing a rally in Jaito, Mann said voting for the Akalis would be “akin to committing sacrilege,” alleging that those linked to incidents involving the Guru Granth Sahib had no moral right to seek public support. He asserted that his government was committed to enacting strict laws to curb sacrilege and ensure justice.Targeting the Congress, Mann reminded people of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Operation Blue Star at Harmandir Sahib, cautioning voters against “toying with the idea of supporting the party.” He said both parties had inflicted deep wounds on Punjab.Simultaneously, he accused Akali leaders of misleading people even at the Akal Takht.The Chief Minister alleged that the Akali leadership had patronised “gangsters and drug smugglers” in the past, contributing to the rise of the drug menace in the state. He further accused them of running Punjab like a “family enterprise,” referring to the political legacy of Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal.Mann said people had repeatedly changed governments over the decades in search of better governance, but meaningful change had only begun after the emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He maintained that crowds at AAP rallies were made up of genuine volunteers, not “paid attendees.”Criticising Opposition legislators, Mann said that instead of raising public issues in the Vidhan Sabha, they indulged in disruptions and political point-scoring. “Their speeches lack issues that concern the common people,” he said, adding that many leaders were disconnected from Punjabi language and culture.Invoking freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, Mann recounted lesser-known anecdotes from their final days, saying such stories were absent from school curricula. He also recited lines attributed to Rajguru to underline the spirit of sacrifice.Reiterating his government’s clean image, Mann challenged opponents to cite any instance of corruption during his tenure. “I did not enter politics to earn money; I already had enough,” he said.Referring to contentious historical episodes, Mann alluded to allegations surrounding the poisoning of drinking water in Jaito during the freedom struggle and questioned those who had honoured Reginald Dyer after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.“Today, the descendants of such figures seek votes from Punjabis, portraying themselves as their true saviours,” he said.Taking a swipe at the Congress leadership, Mann said its central leaders remained disconnected from Punjab, while accusing Akali leaders of shifting loyalties based on political convenience.Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was present at the rally, alleged that central agencies had been misused to target AAP leaders. He claimed that courts had vindicated the party, calling it a “triumph of honesty.”Cabinet ministers Balbir Singh and Baljit Kaur, along with several MLAs, were also present.