Keeping poor uneducated was political choice of Congress, Akalis: CM Mann

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Chandigarh, April 14
Marking the birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday linked decades of previous governments to what he described as neglect of education and opportunities for marginalised communities.

Speaking at a state-level function in Adampur, he said successive Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal regimes had failed to uplift underprivileged groups, while his government was now focusing on education, social welfare, and financial empowerment.

He said Ambedkar’s vision of equality and dignity could only be achieved through strong public education systems, adding that poverty could not be removed through “freebies”, but through learning and skills.

The Chief Minister also defended his government’s welfare schemes, including a monthly financial assistance plan for women, saying it would directly benefit millions of households and strengthen economic independence.

He used the occasion to highlight broader governance measures, including job creation, electricity supply reforms, and welfare spending, while criticising opposition parties for lacking vision and focusing on power politics.

Mann also urged greater participation of women in politics and decision-making, saying it was essential for building a more equal society in line with Ambedkar’s ideals.

The event also featured remarks from senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia, who credited Ambedkar’s legacy for shaping India’s democratic framework and governance focus on education and empowerment.