‘They have nothing else to say against me, so they’ll use AI videos’: Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Newsline | Ludhiana

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) campaign for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections from Ludhiana, where he accused political opponents of preparing artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos to spread misinformation against him ahead of the polls.

Addressing party workers at the Indoor Stadium on Pakhowal Road, Mann released the party’s election pamphlet and said rivals had little to criticize about his government’s performance. “They have nothing else to say against me, so they’ll use AI videos,” he remarked, claiming that opposition parties would resort to misinformation campaigns during the election season.

Mann said that whenever his government attempts to reform a system, those benefiting from the old setup begin opposing the changes. He also attacked opposition parties over the issue of drug abuse, alleging that the problem expanded during previous BJP-Akali governments and remained unresolved despite promises made by earlier administrations.

Highlighting his government’s achievements, the Chief Minister said the AAP government had delivered more than the guarantees it had promised to the people. He pointed to the state’s Road Safety Force (SSF), claiming it saves around 2,700 lives every year through road safety interventions. Mann added that the initiative had received appreciation from Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The Chief Minister also targeted the BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress, claiming that opposition parties would roll back several welfare measures if they came to power. Referring to the party’s campaign pamphlet, he said voters should carefully consider what could happen to schemes such as free electricity and health benefits under a different government.

Mann further announced that the next installment of financial assistance under the state government’s women-centric welfare scheme would be released from October 1. He said opposition leaders had also enrolled for the scheme but had failed to present a clear roadmap for Punjab ahead of the elections.

Earlier, Punjab AAP in-charge Manish Sisodia addressed the gathering and accused the BJP-led Centre of using agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the party.

Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said that 2.68 lakh booth-level members would take the government’s achievements to every household and ensure that public concerns reach the administration.