{
  "id": 3682084,
  "title": "Akali leadership on 'knees' to forge alliance with BJP: Punjab CM Mann",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/akali-leadership-on-knees-to-forge-alliance-with-bjp-punjab-cm-mann",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T06:16:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punjab/akali-leadership-on-knees-to-forge-alliance-with-bjp-punjab-cm-mann/article71395190.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 26, 2026, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership of desperately seeking an alliance with the BJP in order to regain power and exploit the state once again. Addressing a gathering in Chawinda Devi, Mann asserted that the people of Punjab would never forget the BJP-Akali combine's alleged role in promoting drug abuse and ruining the state.\n\nHe pointed to his government's achievements, including the provision of 70,000 jobs based solely on merit, the transformation of government schools leading to higher education qualifications, and the focus on holistic development across sectors like power, sports, education, and health. Mann also criticized previous regimes for enabling drug smuggling and for failing to deliver promised benefits to the people.\n\nMann singled out former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal of the Akalis, accusing him of being disconnected from the realities of Punjab, having no understanding of the state's basic crops, and lacking knowledge about the issues faced by ordinary citizens. He also dismissed the Congress party as on its \"death bed\" and unable to provide any vision for Punjab's future.",
  "summary": "Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the people of Majitha were now ready to write a new political chapter, contrasting the politics of \"FIRs, hooliganism and fear\" under previous regimes with his government's record of providing jobs, schools, hospitals, roads and development.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Election registration pending, Akali offshoots step up Punjab poll push",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/election-registration-pending-akali-offshoots-step-up-punjab-poll-push",
        "published": "2026-08-26T16:48:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}