Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal stated on Friday that he has learned the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections are expected to be held in November, contrary to the earlier anticipated February schedule. Addressing a roadshow in Bathinda, he urged the public to ensure Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann secures a second term in office.
Kejriwal's Address at the Roadshow
Kejriwal participated in a roadshow organized to express gratitude to Bathinda residents for re-electing Padamjeet Singh Mehta as Mayor on Thursday. Mehta is the son of Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Amarjit Singh Mehta.
During his speech, Kejriwal said, "I have been informed that the elections will take place in November, not in February. Your task is to make Bhagwant Mann the Chief Minister once again." He highlighted the positive shift in public sentiment under the AAP government, contrasting it with previous administrations, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government, where people were reportedly frustrated with those in power.
Praise for Bhagwant Mann's Leadership
Kejriwal asserted that Punjab has had many Chief Ministers over the past 75 years but never one as honest as Mann. "In the last four years, not a single corruption allegation has been made against Bhagwant Mann. If there were any wrongdoing, agencies like the CBI and ED would have conducted raids. Do you think Prime Minister Modi would have spared him?" he questioned.
He further claimed that no allegations have been leveled against Mann's family members or ministers. Kejriwal also recalled that during the 2022 elections, he was told about the burden of the so-called "Jojo Tax" on the people, but after AAP came to power, corruption and exploitation have ended.
Criticism of Rival Parties
Taking a swipe at opposition parties, Kejriwal referred to one party as the "chitta party", alleging rampant drug abuse during its tenure. He added that many people in anger also call it the "beadbi party." Referring to another party, he asked the crowd to identify what he termed the "jhagda party," claiming it is known more for internal infighting than public service. He described a third party as the "ED party," alleging it relies on threats from central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate. In contrast, Kejriwal said the Aam Aadmi Party is "your own party" that works for the people.
Chief Minister Mann's Remarks
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann noted that the large turnout at the roadshow reflected the public's affection for the AAP government. He attributed this response to the government's achievements in healthcare, education, free electricity, and irrigation.
Taking a dig at opposition parties, Mann alleged that "two or three parties are busy striking understandings and forming alliances among themselves." He also assured farmers that there would be no water shortage during the paddy-sowing season, noting that the water level in the Bhakra reservoir is around 16 feet above average.
During his address, Mann conducted an informal survey, asking the crowd to raise their hands if they were receiving zero electricity bills or had obtained the state's health insurance cards. He later asked the gathering whether it wanted the AAP government to return to power, drawing an enthusiastic response. Before concluding, he recited his rhetorical "Kikli" targeting the Badal family.
Presence of Senior AAP Leaders
AAP's Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia and state president Aman Arora were also present at the event. However, AAP's Bathinda Urban MLA Jagroop Singh Gill, who had defeated then Congress nominee Manpreet Singh Badal by 63,581 votes in the 2022 Assembly elections, was absent. He had also skipped the Mayoral election on Thursday.
Speaking to The Tribune on Thursday, Gill said, "I am not invited to the roadshow, and I may skip it. However, I am still with the AAP, but have remained silent for some time." Gill had termed Padamjeet's victory a "murder of democracy."
Significance of the Roadshow
The senior AAP leaders' roadshow in Bathinda holds significance because the city has traditionally been considered a stronghold of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal's wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, is a fourth-term Member of Parliament from Bathinda, which is regarded as the political capital of South Malwa.
