Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal declared on Thursday that the Punjab government is set to initiate a full-scale war against gangsters, mirroring its ongoing campaign against drugs. The announcement was made during an address to newly elected Zila Parishad and Block Samiti members in Ludhiana.
Clean Elections and a New Front
Kejriwal, alongside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and party affairs incharge Manish Sisodia, claimed that the recent local body elections were the cleanest in Punjab's history. "Not even a single vote was shifted," he stated, contrasting it with past polls which he alleged were won by ruling parties through "hooliganism, force and manipulation." He pointed out that the AAP secured over 70 percent of the total seats, with more than 600 seats won by a margin of less than 100 votes, many by opposition candidates.
Transitioning to law and order, Kejriwal outlined the government's next priority. "After drugs, the government will launch a major campaign against gangsters," he said. "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 accused previous governments of allowing their kin to engage in drug trafficking and crime, and even giving tickets to gangsters.
Mann's Commitment to Akal Takht and Governance
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, during the event, reaffirmed his devotion to the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs. He announced his intention to appear before the Takht on January 15 with all facts regarding recent controversies, requesting the proceedings be telecast live. "I will appear there not as a Chief Minister, but as a humble and devout Sikh," Mann said, emphasizing that any command from the Takht would be supreme for him and his family.
Mann also highlighted the government's achievements, stating that 60,000 jobs had been provided without any bribes or recommendations. He credited Kejriwal's vision for changing the country's political discourse to focus on education, health, and electricity. Taking a swipe at the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mann remarked they were struggling to find speakers for an upcoming conference, saying, "I am enough alone to tackle with dinosaurs."
Performance and Future Mandate
Kejriwal framed the electoral success as a validation of honest governance. He argued that winning over 70 percent of seats with a 38 percent vote share after four years in power was a vote for work, not coercion. "It is a vote for honesty and decency. Our party is a party of decent people," he asserted.
He tasked the newly elected representatives with increasing this vote share to 45 percent in the next election, warning against arrogance which he said destroyed the Akali Dal and Congress. "You must go village to village, meet people with folded hands," he advised, adding that the leadership in Delhi was aware of ground realities without the need for flattery.
Kejriwal cited concrete actions in the drug war, noting that over 28,000 cases had been registered and more than 400 drug traffickers were behind bars. He urged members to tell voters that supporting opposition parties could lead to the return of drugs to Punjab.
Manish Sisodia assured no shortage of funds for rural development and urged coordination with panchayats to expedite the preparation of health cards for all families.
