Political parties make pitch for 2027 Punjab election at Maghi Mela

Key political parties in Punjab on Wednesday used the platform of Muktsar Sahib’s Maghi Mela, an important religious and cultural event, to reach out to voters in the run-up to the 2027 Assembly election. The annual gathering commemorates the Sikh martyrs who fought against Mughal forces in 1705.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the government will fulfil the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) poll promise of providing ₹1,000 per month to every woman in the State with the required provisions to be made in the next budget. Addressing a gathering, he said, “We have honoured every commitment made to the people and now we will start a scheme to give ₹1,000 to every woman of the State.”

Taking a dig at Opposition parties, Mr. Mann said they are merely waiting for their turn to plunder Punjab.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also sounded the poll bugle at the event, with party president Sukhbir Singh Badal asserting its commitment to “correcting historical injustices” like diverting Punjab’s water to Rajasthan through the Indira Gandhi canal. He announced a number of poll promises, including free tubewell connections for farmers and interest-free loans worth ₹10 lakh for the youth.

Meanwhile, the BJP held its first independent political rally at the Maghi Mela, suggesting that it intends to contest the 2027 poll on its own. “The BJP understands its responsibility towards Punjab and knows that only the party can bring the State out of this difficult period,” said State unit president Sunil Jakhar.

Staying away

The Congress, however, refrained from holding a political rally on the occasion. “In December 2017, then jathedar (chief priest) of the Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singhji had appealed to political parties not to hold political events on such solemn and pious religious occasions,” said State Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.