Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal launched a strong attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accused it of trying to weaken opposition parties and blamed them for threatening democracy.
Speaking on the situation CM Mann alleged that there is a direct attempt to “finish” AAP as a political force and said that party leaders were offered inducements, threatened and shown “dreams” to break their unity but claimed that AAP members stayed firm and according to him if such pressure had been applied to other parties they might have collapsed by now but AAP remained united.
Mann also invoked the inspiration of the “Chhote Sahibzade” referring to the sons of Guru Gobind Singh saying their courage continues to inspire AAP leaders to stand strong despite challenges and talking about the same he added that Punjab has a history of standing up against arrogance and said those who left the party were better off gone calling them “bekadre” (ungrateful).
The Chief Minister revealed that he met President of India Droupadi Murmu and raised concerns about alleged misuse of constitutional processes and questioned how a small group of leaders could claim representation in Punjab despite BJP having only two MLAs and no significant presence in the state and termed the situation as a “joke” and an insult to the Constitution. He also added that the President assured him she would consult constitutional experts to which the CM expressed doubts and says that they (BJP) don’t even respect the Constitution.
Highlighting AAP’s national presence Mann said the party has a government in Punjab is the main opposition in Delhi and has elected representatives in states like Gujarat and Goa along with mayors, councillors and sarpanches and asserted that AAP cannot be eliminated so easily.
Mann also accused the BJP of planning to expand into Punjab questioning what the party has done for the state and said Punjab has always stood for the country in times of crisis and now the entire nation is looking towards Kejriwal and added that strengthening Kejriwal’s leadership is now their responsibility and said that after four years in power it is rare for a government to receive praise near elections and claimed that AAP is seeing “pro-incumbency” in Punjab and stated that surveys show people are satisfied with the government’s work.
Listing achievements of AAP Kejriwal said roads and streets are being rebuilt across cities, sports grounds are being developed and dirty ponds have been cleaned and adding to the list he says taht farmers are now receiving electricity during the day, power has been made free and health insurance of up to ₹10 lakh has been provided. He also mentioned that financial assistance for women of ₹1000 to ₹1500 will also start soon and contrasted this with previous governments which he said often claimed the state treasury was empty.
Kejriwal further alleged that democracy in India is under threat and while accusing BJP of “hijacking” democratic institutions he claimed that central agencies like ED, CBI and even the Election Commission are being used to intimidate opposition parties and break them and talking about the same he also accused the BJP of manipulating votes and said that both democracy and freedom are facing a serious crisis.
Kejriwal said that despite the strong wave in favour of Narendra Modi in 2014 AAP managed to form a government in Delhi and claimed that a similar political shift could happen again and suggested that Punjab could play a key role in defeating the BJP in future elections.
He concluded by saying that while AAP is confident of winning, leaders will need to reach every household and also warned that if BJP comes to power in Punjab it could harm the state’s interests and referring to recent defections Kejriwal alleged that a small group of leaders had “stolen” the mandate of Punjab’s MPs with BJP’s support.