Arvind Kejriwal, supremo of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Chief Minister of Delhi, participated in the party’s development revolution rally in Bathinda, Punjab, alongside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. During the event, Kejriwal claimed that the central government has attempted to obstruct Punjab’s pilgrimage scheme. He mentioned a similar incident in Delhi but assured that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would find a resolution within two days.
Targeting the Akali Dal, Kejriwal said, “The party ruled Punjab for many years but failed to accomplish any significant work. The Congress government nor the BJP-led administrations, delivered substantial results. AAP government in Punjab over the last two and a half years, implemented provision of free electricity and many other development projects.” Kejriwal underscored the significance of these actions by pointing out that people are receiving zero bills for electricity.
Kejriwal informed the audience that various activities were underway in the state’s 20,000 schools and stressed the importance of education. He criticized the previous governments for corruption and inefficient governance, contrasting it with the AAP’s efforts to send knowledgeable teachers abroad for training.
Discussing upcoming initiatives, Kejriwal promised that within the next 2-3 months, medicines in all Punjab hospitals would be provided for free, all tests would be conducted free of charge, and medical treatment would be entirely free. He praised the Punjab government for offering government jobs to 42,000 people without any recommendations in the last two and a half years, emphasizing merit-based selections.
Kejriwal also commended Chief Minister Mann for providing a Rs 1 crore honorarium to the families of martyrs, a gesture he claimed no government had made before. He urged the people of Punjab to support the AAP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, assuring them that all 13 seats in the state would be won by the party. The rally, according to Kejriwal, was not just a political event but a celebration for the residents of Bathinda, with a gift of Rs 1125 crore given to the city.