In a significant move ahead of the Jalandhar West Assembly constituency by-election, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has rented a house in the Jalandhar Cantonment area. On Wednesday, Mann, along with his wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur and daughter, performed a housewarming ceremony at the newly-rented residence before shifting to his new abode.

Arriving amidst tight security, the Chief Minister’s entry into the house has sparked a buzz in Jalandhar's Deep Nagar area, where police presence has been markedly increased.

The rented property, spanning approximately 131 marlas, had been undergoing renovations for the past month. Interestingly, this new residence is not just a temporary arrangement for the by-election period but is intended to serve as Mann's base until the 2027 Assembly elections.

As per sources, the Chief Minister plans to stay at this house two days a week — a move aimed at strengthening his connection with the leaders and people of the Doaba and Majha regions.

The initiative is also expected to bolster the ‘Sarkar Tuhaade Dwaar’ (Government at Your Doorstep) program, enabling more direct interaction with the public. During the Lok Sabha by-elections, Mann and his team stayed in hotels, but this time, a more permanent solution has been adopted.

The State Government, however, touted this move as the “fulfillment of another promise” made to the people of Majha and Doaba regions. The Chief Minister emphasized that the primary objective of this initiative is to facilitate the residents of these regions in getting their routine works done more efficiently. Mann highlighted that this direct approach will eliminate the need for people to travel to Chandigarh for their administrative needs, as he will be available in Jalandhar for a few days each week.

Expressing immense pride and satisfaction in fulfilling his promise to the people, Mann reiterated that his efforts are always aimed at the progress of the State and the prosperity of its citizens. Mann declared that the era of a government run solely from offices in Chandigarh is over. Instead, the administration is now being managed from the villages and towns.

To further support this decentralized governance approach, the State Government has already initiated the ‘Sarkar Tuhaade Dwaar’ scheme, organizing village-level camps to provide citizen-centric services directly at their doorsteps. The Chief Minister assured that more such pro-people initiatives would be introduced in the coming days.

The public reception of this initiative has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents of the Doaba and Majha regions have expressed their appreciation for the Chief Minister's commitment to being more accessible. Many believe that this move will lead to a more responsive and accountable administration, addressing local issues more effectively.

By staying in Jalandhar, Mann is not only making a strategic decision for the upcoming by-election but also setting a precedent for a more engaged and approachable leadership style.