Political activity at the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib offered an early glimpse of the battle for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with major parties using the Panthak platform to attack rivals and position themselves as alternatives. For the first time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a political conference at the Maghi Mela, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) returned to the stage after nearly a decade.
Traditionally regarded as a forum for Panthak politics centred on Sikh issues, the Maghi Mela has often been used to question ruling governments on governance and performance. This year, BJP leaders launched a coordinated attack on the AAP government in Punjab as well as the Congress, while projecting the BJP as a viable political alternative.
Union minister Ravneet Bittu alleged misuse of government machinery, claiming that buses carrying AAP flags were used for rallies and that an RTO in Anandpur Sahib was suspended for not cooperating with the party. He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP leaders of financial misconduct and demanded a public apology from Mann along with a forensic probe into a viral video. Bittu also said that real power and funding rest with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that the BJP’s influence is expanding even in rural Punjab.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said the party’s decision to hold its first conference at the Maghi Mela reflected a sense of responsibility. He accused Chief Minister Mann of compromising Punjab’s interests in favour of the AAP leadership in Delhi and criticised the Congress for internal divisions, alleged corruption and identity-based politics. Jakhar warned that instability in Punjab could affect neighbouring states and said the BJP would oppose politics based on religion or caste.
At AAP’s conference, Chief Minister Mann accused opposition parties of resorting to personal attacks due to desperation for power. He reiterated his government’s commitment to Punjab’s rights, announced a ₹10 lakh health insurance cover for all citizens, and said the promised ₹1,000 monthly assistance to women would be introduced in the upcoming budget session. Mann also criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal for politicising religion and sacrilege issues.
Addressing a separate gathering, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal accused the AAP government of misleading Punjabis with unfulfilled promises. He questioned the delay in rolling out the ₹1,000 aid scheme for women, alleged large-scale recruitment of outsiders, and claimed that Punjab was being governed from Delhi. Badal also accused the government of excessive spending on advertisements and misuse of official resources.
The Akali Dal-backed ‘Waris Punjab De’ party, led by MP Amritpal Singh, also held a conference at the Maghi Mela.
The Congress did not organise any event, citing directions issued by the Akal Takht in 2017 advising political parties, except the Shiromani Akali Dal, to refrain from holding political rallies during religious occasions. The party has sought clarification regarding the participation of other political groups despite these guidelines.
