Give 5 years to the team of Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann; we will transform Punjab into a flourishing state: Arvind Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party has been gaining unprecedented support in Punjab under the leadership of National Convenor and Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal. Today, Shri Arvind Kejriwal addressed three Town Halls at Phillaur, Jalandhar Cantt and Adampur. He stated – Congress and Akali Dal looted Punjab for years, the state now needs an iron willed honest CM. We have handpicked the most honest candidates for Punjab elections and we will ensure that our government is the first corruption free government here. Normally in Punjab MLAs build huge estates for themselves in one term, and here Bhagwant Mann is a sitting MP for 7 years but lives in a rented house.

CM Channi is facing allegations of being the sand mafia today. It is astonishing that he has been caught sitting on so much cash in just 111 days in government. Punjab now has to choose between the sand mafia, the drug mafia and Bhagwant Mann, a man of conscience and integrity. These political parties have not fulfilled Babasaheb’s dream of providing high-quality education even after 70 years. I have resolved to fulfil the dreams seen by Babasaheb; our education revolution in Delhi is fulfilling his dream like no else.

Think of Babasaheb before you cast your vote and imagine who he would have chosen in this election. Punjab gave 26 years to Congress, 19 to Badal Family, AAP needs just 5 years to reverse the damage these parties have caused. Give 5 years to the team of Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, and we will transform Punjab into a flourishing state. There is no lack of money in the government, only a lack of drive to change. With a government that has clear intentions, anything is possible.

AAP MP and Punjab CM Candidate Sardar Bhagwant Mann stated that the Aam Aadmi Party’s government will end all political oversights when it comes to power in Punjab and that no interference of MLAs or ministers will be tolerated. AAP National Convenor and Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal is on a Punjab visit ahead of the forthcoming elections. On Friday, he took part in three crucial town halls with CM Candidate Shri Bhagwant Mann at Phillaur, Jalandhar Cantt and Adampur. He addressed the concerns of the local folk and took note of their grievances with the present administration. While addressing the Town Hall at Phillaur, Shri Arvind Kejriwal said, “AAP has given Principal Prem Kumar an opportunity to contest from Phillaur. He is a common man.

He’s not a politician, and doesn't know how to practice petty politics. Neither do I. When his name was presented in our committee, then a lot of discussion began that Principal Prem Kumar Ji is a staunchly honest man, and commands a lot of respect from the public. Everyone knows him. He’s an old Aam Aadmi Party volunteer. However, someone brought up the fact that he doesn’t have the money to contest elections. To them I said, when we ran our first elections, even I didn't even have any money.

When the public supports you, you will win. Throughout Punjab, we have very selectively given tickets to sincere and truthful people so that an honest government is formed in Punjab.” He added, “Our dear Sardar Bhagwant Mann Ji also doesn’t have the money to contest elections, but is an extremely honest man. On one side, there’s the Badals, there’s Channi Sahab, and all these politicians.

And on the other, there’s Sardar Bhagwant Mann. He has been a Member of Parliament from the Lok Sabha for the past seven years. Everyone must have heard him speak in the Lok Sabha Sessions on YouTube or the television, and he speaks so impressively. Whenever a person becomes an MLA in Punjab, within those 5 years they easily build 3-4 bungalows for themselves, acquire 4-5 expensive cars, and so on. Bhagwant Mann has been an MP for seven years now, and still lives on rent. I believe an extremely honest CM is Punjab’s biggest necessity in today’s date. So on one hand, there are people who have allegations against them for running a drug racket, and others for illegal sand mining. On the other hand, there’s this man who is so staunchly honest, that he hasn’t taken a single paisa from anyone. The AAP Convenor informed, “Sardar Bhagwant Mann and I sat and had discussions which lasted for hours on end about how to transform Punjab. We consulted with farmers in order to plan for reform in agriculture.

We brainstormed on how to bring Punjab’s industry back home, as these previous governments sent them all outside. We discussed how to generate employment for Punjab’s youth, for they are all leaving the state in hunt for jobs; and the ones that remain are getting caught up with drug addiction. So we also planned out how to end this problem of the illicit drug trade in Punjab. Our discussion then included how to end instances of sacrilege, how to punish those who are committing these crimes. In Delhi, we created such impressive schools, and we have planned to transform Punjab’s education sector the same way.

Punjab’s hospitals will also be reformed like Delhi. Punjab’s roads will be fixed. Delhi’s people receive free electricity 24x7, and the same will be provided to the people of Punjab. All of this plan was carved out by us over hours and days. But this plan will only be successful once an honest government comes to power in Punjab. He further stated, “Punjab became an independent state in 1966. Since then, Congress ruled Punjab for 26 years; the Badal family ruled the state for 19 years. And together these two plundered and looted the glorious state of Punjab. Neither government took any action against the misgovernance by the other – both incompetent governments continued to rob Punjab of its resources. Today, Punjab just has one need – a staunchly honest government.

CM Charanjit Channi Sahab has allegations of illegal sand mining and robbery against him. There was an ED raid at his and his relatives’ houses, and large piles of cash were discovered. They have just 111 days in power, and even in this small amount of time they managed to amass so much wealth. I ask the people of Punjab, if the sand mafia forms the government in Punjab – will the schools here get transformed? Will you get free electricity? Will your children have a bright future? It’s not possible with the likes of the current government. What you need is an honest government, MLAs like Principal Prem Kumar and a CM like Sardar Bhagwant Mann.” He continued, “I am a huge fan and devotee of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Talking about Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein said that generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth. The more I read about Dr Ambedkar the more I believe that this quote applies to him as well. On Republic Day I announced that each and every office of the Delhi Government will be blessed by the portraits of Babasaheb and Bhagat SIngh. Now, we won’t put up photos of politicians or the CM. We will celebrate and take inspiration from these legends. We have come to understand that the people of Punjab want the same to happen here as well. Sardar Bhagwant Mann and I will make a formal announcement of the same in the coming days. Babasaheb belonged to a very underprivileged family. He had to struggle a lot throughout his life. But, despite all difficulties he gave education the first priority in life.

He earned two doctorates from America and England. He firmly believed that education was the path to one’s growth and success. He dreamt for every child of our society to get the highest level of education. But even after seventy long years, his dream remains unfulfilled because of the greed of political parties. I have pledged to fulfil his dream and am working diligently upon it in Delhi.” Shri Kejriwal concluded, “I just have one appeal to the people of Punjab. When you go out to vote, bear in mind the image of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Think who he’d vote for among the choices at hand. On one hand there’s the sand mafia, on the other there’s the drug mafia and against them stands tall our warrior, Bhagwant Mann; a man of conscience and willpower.

Till now the people of Punjab had no option. There used to be a ludo match of sorts between Akalis and Congress. One party would loot the state, go out of power, then the other would come in. Then they’d loot and the cycle would go on and on. Now Punjab has seen a new hope rising in the form of the AAP. We’ve shown what we can do, see the revolution of Delhi if it seems too good to be true. We can do this in Punjab as well. Akalis have ruled Punjab for 19 years, Congress for 26 years. Now AAP deserves a chance. We’re asking for just 5 years for Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann’s team so we can transform the state for good, forever.” At the same time, AAP MP and Punjab CM Candidate Shri Bhagwant Mann said, “Our top priorities are to address the issues raised by the meeting's participants, including youths, farmers, and traders. Traders are moving to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan because the environment in Punjab is not conducive.

People are fighting among themselves in the Punjab government today. If the Aam Aadmi Party forms a government in Punjab, political interference will be completely eliminated. If any MLA or minister calls the police station and requests that the SHO release a person, and that person is wrong, we will take action against our MLA and minister first. Traders will benefit from the environment, making agriculture a profitable business. Punjab's government schools are in disrepair. Government schools, such as those in Delhi, will be established.Except for teaching, no other work is assigned to teachers in Delhi, whereas in Punjab, all other work is assigned to teachers except studies. Teachers will be respected if our government is formed.”