PUNJAB:

In a strong political message, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann met newly elected Zila Parishad and Block Samiti members and asserted that Punjab has decisively broken away from the era of fear, goondagardi and manipulated elections, while announcing that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will now launch a full-scale war against gangsters on the lines of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’.

Citing AAP’s sweeping victory of over 70 percent seats in the Panchayat polls as a mandate for clean politics and honest governance, the AAP Chief said Punjab had witnessed the cleanest local body elections in its history, with not even a single vote shifted, while CM Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that pro-people governance had forced traditional parties to rewrite their manifestos.

*Will appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib as a humble Sikh, its command supreme above all else: Bhagwant Singh Mann*

On the issue related to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he would certainly appear before the Takht with all facts and requested that the proceedings be telecast live on all channels. “I will appear there not as a Chief Minister, but as a humble and devout Sikh. Sri Akal Takht Sahib is sacred for every Sikh and is the highest temporal seat of our community. Even though the President of the country will be visiting Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, I will still ensure my presence before Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” he said.

He unequivocally asserted that for him, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji is above everything. “Any order received from there will be obeyed in true letter and spirit. The command of Sri Akal Takht Sahib was, is and will always remain supreme for me and my family. It is a highly revered place from where Sikhs derive divine peace and strength,” Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

Addressing the gathering of the elected representatives in Ludhiana, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, “First of all, I congratulate all of you who have been elected in such large numbers as members of the District Councils and Block Committees. You must be happy today because the people have entrusted you with a new responsibility. It is a matter of great pride that in these elections, the AAP has won more than 70 percent of the total seats. These are your party’s seats.”

Recalling the past, the AAP Supremo said that traditionally, Panchayat elections were won by the ruling party through force and manipulation. “In 2013, Panchayat elections were held one year after the government was formed. In 2018 as well, elections were held one year after the government came to power in 2017. Despite that, there was rampant booth capturing, goondagardi and coercion, and only then did they win,” he said.

Contrasting that with the present, Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Today, after four years of our government, elections for Block Committees and District Councils were held and not even the slightest coercion was done. Look at the results. There are more than 600 seats where candidates won by less than 100 votes. Out of these, more than 350 seats were won by the opposition. There are many seats where Congress or Akali Dal candidates won by just one vote. Have you ever heard that a ruling party candidate lost by one vote?”

He added that if the AAP wanted to misuse power, it would have been very easy. “If we wanted to indulge in coercion, we could have just called the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and got our candidate declared elected. Shifting one vote here or there is not difficult. But we did not do that. We did not come into politics for this. The AAP was not formed to do coercion, corruption or goondaism. If that was the goal, then what difference would remain between us and Congress, BJP or Akali Dal? We came to change politics, to clean politics, to fix politics, and to end coercion and goondaism.”

Speaking on the deep-rooted problems Punjab had faced, the AAP Chief said, “They spread drugs all over Punjab. Who sells drugs? Whether it is one party or the other, it is their uncles, brothers, sons-in-law who are selling drugs, indulging in crime, and running gangs. They openly give tickets to gangsters. We did not come to do this. We came to clean this system. We have put our lives at stake, sacrificed everything. They even sent me to jail for raising my voice against them. They thought Arvind Kejriwal would stop speaking. I came out and roared even louder.”

He noted that Punjab witnessed completely clean elections. “Not a single vote was shifted. After four years of governance, despite the enormous challenges of running Punjab, people still voted for us. When we took over, there was no money. Punjab had been drowned in debt. They looted everything. Salaries were not paid on time earlier. In our time, not even one month has passed when salaries were delayed. Everyone gets their salary on time. We are running the government honestly, saving every penny, and delivering results.”

Listing achievements, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Big works are happening. Electricity has become free. Earlier, wherever I went during the last election, people would sit with electricity bills saying they had one small house, one fan, yet received bills of ₹10,000. Today, people are getting zero electricity bills. If this is not a miracle, then what is? Old bills have been waived.”

He said the electoral mandate reflected performance. “After four years in government, if we win over 70 percent seats with 38 percent vote share, that 38 percent is a vote for our work, not for coercion or corruption. It is a vote for honesty and decency. Our party is a party of decent people.”

Calling the newly elected representatives crucial to the future, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Now it is your responsibility to take this 38 percent vote share to 45 percent in the next election. Less than 45 percent is not acceptable. You must go village to village, meet people with folded hands, without arrogance. Arrogance destroyed Akali Dal and Congress. If you become arrogant, the same will happen to us. Go to people’s homes, work for them in their joys and sorrows, not only in official matters but also in personal difficulties. Be their brother, their son.”

The AAP Head emphasised AAP’s commitment to ordinary citizens. “The AAP is the party that gives tickets to ordinary people. It is the party where an ordinary person becomes the Chief Minister. Bhagwant Singh Mann’s father was not a politician. None of his relatives were politicians. Yet he became Chief Minister. In my family too, no one was a politician, yet I became Chief Minister. More than 90 percent of you also come from families with no political background. If you work well, you can become MLAs, ministers, purely on the basis of your work.”

Issuing a clear warning against complacency, the AAP National Convenor asserted, “Do not think that Arvind Kejriwal sitting in Delhi does not know what is happening in Punjab. We know who is working and who is not. You do not need to flatter anyone or come to Delhi or meet Bhagwant Singh Mann. The person whom the people love, whose work they admire, Arvind Kejriwal will go to his house and give him a ticket. You do not need to ask for it.”

Urging service over self-interest, he said, “Serve the people. God has given you this opportunity, and very few get such a chance. These opportunities exist only in the AAP. Other parties give tickets to gangsters or their relatives. We have never given tickets to our children or relatives. Only those who serve the people get tickets.”

Reflecting on the atmosphere before 2017, Arvind Kejriwal said, “During Akali Dal and Congress rule, Punjab lived in fear. False cases were common. People were scared. We ended that atmosphere. The culture of jhoothe parche (false cases) and goondagardi has been finished. Earlier, newspapers were routinely filled with reports of brutality against the Dalit community. Today, we have successfully curbed such incidents. Today, no one is afraid of the government because people know the government is there to serve them.”

On the fight against drugs, AAP National Convenor said that the ongoing war against drugs in Punjab is a result of the AAP government’s political will and courage. “People ask where this anti-drug campaign has come from. Who spread drugs in Punjab? It was their people. Their uncles and relatives were selling drugs. One of their biggest leaders is sitting in jail today. Earlier, neither the police nor the administration had the courage to even touch him. When we said he must be sent to jail, it was only the AAP government that had the resolve to do it because we had decided that Punjab’s youth must be freed from drugs,” he asserted.

He said that the government has taken firm action against drug traffickers. “With courage, we have sent big drug smugglers to jail. More than 28,000 cases have been registered and over 400 drug traffickers are currently behind bars. The government has now launched the second phase of the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’. From tomorrow, go to every village and every household and tell people clearly that if they vote for these parties again, drugs will return to Punjab, and this time they will destroy the state completely. Do not vote for these parties even by mistake,” he said.

Arvind Kejriwal said that pulling Punjab out of the drug crisis has been extremely difficult. “With great courage and effort, we are bringing Punjab out of drugs. Go door to door and explain that if these people come back to power, electricity bills of ₹10,000 will return. We have stabilised Punjab’s finances with great difficulty. We have managed the state budget and are providing facilities to the people,” he said.

Referring to public welfare infrastructure, Arvind Kejriwal said, “In Delhi, I built Mohalla Clinics to provide free healthcare. Now the BJP government has come to power there and they are shutting down Mohalla Clinics one by one. You must have read it in newspapers. If they are voted to power, they will shut down all Mohalla Clinics. If they are voted to power, they will shut down schools which we are repairing with so much effort.”

Highlighting employment generation, he said, “Today, jobs are being given in Punjab. Earlier, not a single government job could be obtained without bribery or recommendations. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has given 60,000 jobs. Show me one person who says he got a job by paying a bribe. Show me one person who says he got a job through recommendation. Today, children of poor farmers and labourers are getting government jobs purely on merit. They are being recruited in the police and administration. For the first time, people are getting jobs honestly.”

He recalled how earlier protests had become routine. “Earlier, when Bhagwant Singh Mann and I used to tour Punjab, we would see teachers and employees sitting on water tanks everywhere. Teachers should be in classrooms. Today, you will not find a single employee sitting on a water tank. We have fulfilled everyone’s demands,” he said.

Speaking about infrastructure development, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Look at the roads being built today. Excellent roads are being constructed in every village. About 19,000 kilometres of village roads are being built. Out of Punjab’s total 64,000 kilometres of roads, 42,000 kilometres are currently under construction. Roads in villages and cities will all be completed within six months. You will see it yourselves.”

He also spoke about the pilgrimage initiative. “We have started pilgrimage tours. From every village, one or two buses are going for pilgrimages. Buses are going to Darbar Sahib, Durgiana Temple and Wagah Border,” he said.

On law and order, the AAP Chief said that after drugs, the government will launch a major campaign against gangsters. “Just like we started a war against drugs, we will start a war against gangsters as well. All gangsters and their networks in Punjab will be eliminated. We will not spare them,” he said.

Calling upon the newly elected representatives to shoulder responsibility, Arvind Kejriwal said, “It felt very good to meet all of you today. As I said earlier, we have only one target. The 38 percent vote share that we have must be taken to 45 percent. This responsibility is now on your shoulders. The people have given you an opportunity. Many of you have entered politics for the first time. God has given you this chance.”

Issuing a stern warning, Arvind Kejriwal said, “If you become arrogant, if you start focusing on making money or indulge in corruption, your political life will be finished forever. But if you dedicate yourself to service, God will take you far. It is possible that after Mann Sahib, the next Chief Minister of Punjab is sitting in this very hall today.”

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, said that the vision and dynamism of AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has compelled traditional political parties to rewrite their manifestos and rethink their priorities.“The politics of this country has changed because of Arvind Kejriwal. Education, health and electricity have come to the centre of political discourse only because of AAP. Before this, no political party ever bothered about these sectors, even though they matter the most to the common man,” he said.

Congratulating the newly elected representatives, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that they had won these elections by building a direct rapport with the people, adding that local body elections are far more challenging than Assembly or Parliamentary polls. “You have emerged victorious by working among the people. This victory should be used to scale new heights in politics. I am confident that many of you will contest Assembly elections in the future,” he said, while noting that this stood in sharp contrast to other parties where dynasty politics prevails and tickets are distributed hereditarily.

Taking a dig at the Akali Dal, Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked that the party was struggling to find speakers for the upcoming Maghi conference at Sri Muktsar Sahib. “They do not have leaders left to address people,” he said, adding that the recent elections were conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner. “That is why the victory margins at many seats were very low. People are joining AAP in large numbers because of its pro-people policies, while several parties could not even find candidates as the public is fed up with their divisive politics,” he added.

He said that raising one’s voice for the people and winning amid intense competition was truly commendable. “Congress and Akalis have no agenda. They are merely waiting for their turn to return to power. But their dreams will never be fulfilled because people are fully aware of their dubious role against Punjab and its people,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said that the newly elected members had been chosen by the people and entrusted with a huge responsibility. “The mandate reflects people’s faith in the pro-people and development-oriented policies of the Punjab Government,” he said.

Manish Sisodia noted that the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti members had participated enthusiastically in the second phase of the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign, making it a major success. “The soul of Punjab lives in its villages, and I am confident that you will make every possible effort to ensure their development and prosperity,” he said.

Assuring full government support, Manish Sisodia said that there would be no shortage of funds for rural development. “The Punjab Government will stand firmly with you. I urge you to work in coordination with panchayats to ensure that health cards of all families are prepared without any delay,” he added.

PUNJAB:

During the maiden meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission held in SAS Nagar, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann marked the commission as a decisive step to end years of neglect and bureaucratic harassment faced by traders. The AAP Chief said shopkeepers would no longer be forced to run from office to office, as the AAP government has taken governance directly to markets.

Declaring the initiative as the beginning of a new era of business reform in Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal said the commission would simplify the tax system, end an era of tax terrorism, and remove needless procedural hurdles. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, echoing the sentiment, underlined that shopkeepers were the true patriots who drive the economy and expressed confidence that the commission would decisively safeguard the welfare and dignity of traders across the state.

Addressing the gathering, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Today, a new beginning is taking place for small shopkeepers, traders and markets, towards whom no one ever paid attention until now. All those who have been made members of these commissions at different levels and have been given this responsibility, I congratulate all wholeheartedly. Our government has completed four years, and a very beautiful scene caught my attention just now. All of you sitting in this hall are not our party workers. You are independent people. Some of you are presidents of market associations, some represent sector wise trade associations like textiles and tiles, and you come from different backgrounds. You are all independent individuals.”

Reflecting on public sentiment after four years of governance, he continued, “It is often said that after four years, strong anti incumbency sets in and people become angry for one reason or another. Before us, there was the Congress government, and before that, the Shiromani Akali Dal government. After four years, they would face such abuse that I do not think the Congress government would have had the courage to pass around a microphone in a public gathering and say, speak whatever you want. If the microphone had been passed around during the Congress government, they would have been showered with abuses. If it had happened during the Akali Dal government, the microphone would not have returned, so much abuse would have followed. I listened very carefully just now and heard people praising the work, that it has worked well over four years.”

Speaking about perceptions of traders, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Till now in our country, traders and businessmen have been viewed with a very negative mindset. No matter which governments came or which parties ruled, everyone treated traders as thieves. Every government thinks they are thieves and should be looted. The government extracts money through taxes. The entire Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime exists, and we cannot change it right now. I pray that one day our government is formed at the Centre and we free you from GST. There is a kind of tax terrorism going on. On one side, the government squeezes you through taxes, and on the other side, political parties squeeze you as well. They remember you only during elections, to extract money in the name of donations, and throughout the five years to take bribes. All governments consider traders to be thieves. But, we do not think like that.”

Sharing his personal connection, he added, “I come from a trading family. I understand the pain and suffering of a trader. You may remember how, as children, we used to go to the village during summer holidays. My uncle there, had a grocery shop at the bus stand. During summer vacations, many times I would manage the entire shop alone for days. I understand the pain of a shopkeeper. He works day and night, takes huge risks, earns very little, pays taxes to the government from that income, provides jobs to people, supports his family, and all charitable and social activities in the village or city are funded by his earnings. Despite all this, governments trouble him. I understand your pain.”

Linking trader welfare to national progress, the AAP Chief asserted, “I also understand that no country can progress until it protects even its smallest shopkeeper and provides him facilities. Governments talk about big investments everywhere. In Punjab too, like other states, there are initiatives like Invest Punjab. That is not wrong and should happen. They talk about industries worth ₹3,000 crore, ₹4,000 crore or ₹10,000 crore coming in. That is good and should happen. But no one ever paid attention to the small shopkeeper running a grocery store, a clothing shop, a bread shop, a tile shop, or shops in small markets. For the first time, a government has come where the small shopkeeper does not need to wonder whether to approach someone through recommendation or pay a bribe to get his work done. This has to stop.”

Explaining the new commission structure, he elaborated, “We are creating a system through which you will become part of the government. There will be a commission at the state level, then at the district level, and most importantly, at the constituency level. At the constituency level commission, there will be traders along with local police and administration. They’re responsible to approach every shopkeeper in markets and hold a meeting. The problems faced by shopkeepers will be discussed in these meetings. Individual shopkeepers may have personal problems, where someone says they have been running around for months and their work is not getting done. There may be market level problems such as broken roads, lack of toilets, drinking water issues, difficulties for traders and customers, and even law and order problems. Ninety percent of these problems will be solved at that level itself.”

Addressing policy level concerns, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Some issues will be at the policy level, which these committees will recommend to the state government and get fixed, including new policy suggestions. The OTS policy, for example, was made by previous governments, but they never intended to implement it. It was designed in such a way that it could never be implemented. If we make policies after talking to people, those policies will be implemented, and through these commissions, those policies will also reach you.”

Concluding, the AAP Supremo stated, “I am very happy that all these commissions are being launched by theAAP government. We hope that within the first three months, one round of meetings across all small and big markets in Punjab will be completed. Problems that can be solved on the spot will be resolved there, and those that need to go to the state level will be addressed at that level. After three months, the next round of meetings will be held.”

Addressing the gathering, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This is a unique programme taking place in Punjab, something that never happened under previous governments. The sky is the limit for the progress and prosperity of every individual, and this path-breaking initiative has been launched especially for the welfare of small shopkeepers. The AAP was constituted by Arvind Kejriwal not to indulge in politics, but to change politics itself and to teach the country the meaning of value-based politics.”

Highlighting the people-first approach of his government, the Chief Minister said that the sole objective behind assuming charge was to serve the people, a commitment clearly reflected on the ground. “More than 61,000 youth of Punjab have been given jobs purely on merit. We have closed over 17 toll plazas, saving nearly ₹64 lakh every day from the pockets of common people. To further facilitate citizens, the vacant offices at these toll plazas will now be converted into Aam Aadmi Clinics,” he said.

Drawing a contrast with previous governments, the Chief Minister said that while politicians of traditional parties amassed massive personal wealth, traders and shopkeepers were left struggling with meagre earnings. “I urge shopkeepers to prepare a detailed roadmap to boost the state’s development and strengthen the economy. Government revenue has already increased manifold, and every rupee will be spent judiciously for the development of Punjab and the prosperity of its people,” he stated.

Speaking on Punjab’s social ethos, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the sacred land of Punjab has always stood at the forefront of helping people in distress. “Punjabis never step back when it comes to serving the needy. Those who have usurped money meant for religious purposes or offerings made before the Almighty will not be spared. Exemplary action will be taken against such sinners,” he said, adding that the state government is making continuous and strenuous efforts for the welfare of every section of society.

Terming shopkeepers as the true patriots of the nation, the Chief Minister said, “Traders serve the country in the real sense by driving the economy. Those who sold the country and are holidaying in obscure foreign destinations have put Arvind Kejriwal behind bars because he worked honestly for the welfare of the common man.” He further said, “The Union government is working day and night for its industrialist friends, while depriving the poor of food by discontinuing schemes like MGNREGA.”

The Chief Minister said that while the Punjab Government is committed to paying salaries to poor workers, the Union government must release the legitimate share of funds pending with the Centre. “I had promised that governance would be run from villages and towns, not confined to offices. That promise has been fulfilled,” Bhagwant Singh Mann said, congratulating all commission members on their new responsibilities and expressing confidence that they would act as catalysts in Punjab’s development.

Addressing the gathering, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said that the prosperity of traders depends directly on the intent of the government. “Traders are the backbone of Punjab’s economy, yet for years they were forced to run from pillar to post to get their work done. To address this, the state government has constituted this commission. For the first time in the country, traders are truly being empowered,” he said.

Manish Sisodia said that traders have now been given the authority to help set the system right. “The members of this commission understand the problems of traders because they come from the same background. This initiative will give a major boost to trade and commerce in every nook and corner of Punjab, with traders’ issues being resolved at their doorsteps,” he said, adding that this model would pave the way for trader welfare policies to be implemented across the country.

Manish Sisodia said, “The Punjab State Traders Commission has been constituted, and this commission will get work done for the people directly from within the markets and for the traders. It will improve the condition of the markets and ensure that even the small, day-to-day issues of local markets are addressed. There are many routine works related to local markets that need attention, and shopkeepers often face problems for which they earlier had to run around. Now, they will not have to go anywhere, because the government itself will reach them. The condition of local markets will improve, and their overall picture will change.”

Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Cheema, Sanjeev Arora and others.