Amidst political hullabaloo in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday indicated the announcement of party’s Chief Ministerial face during a Press conference, scheduled to be held on Thursday.

“We’ve said again and again that we’ll give you such a CM face that all of you will be proud, Punjab will be proud. We’re holding a detailed Press conference tomorrow,” said Kejriwal while evading a direct reply.

On a two-day Punjab visit, primarily to interact with the industrialists in Ludhiana and to make a second major pre-poll announcement with “free power” being first, Kejriwal threw an open challenge to Punjab’s newly-appointed Chief Minister to act on five major points — including those which has led to sudden resignation by Navjot Singh Sidhu as the state Congress chief.

He also lashed out at the Congress party in Punjab for reducing the State Government to a “tamasha” (a spectacle).

Virtually giving four-month dare to act on five key points, Kejriwal listed out immediate removal of tainted ministers and officers recently appointed on key posts; arrest of all those accused and masterminds in the Bargari sacrilege incident within 24 hours; providing jobs to the unemployed, and providing unemployment allowance to all till the employment is given; immediately waiving off all farm loans; and cancelling all the controversial power purchase agreements (PPAs) made by the erstwhile SAD-BJP government.

“If Channi is serious about public welfare and has the will to serve them, he should take at least these five decisions in his four-month stint,” said Kejriwal, adding that he had made electricity cheaper, offered free water, and even wiped out corruption in his maiden 49-day stint as Delhi Chief Minister.

He said that the people of Punjab are upset over Bargari (sacrilege) case. “Mastermind of the case, I don't need to say who he is, didn't get any punishment so far. Channi sahab should read Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh's report, he'll find the names. They can be arrested within 24 hours,” he said, while speaking to mediapersons at Chandigarh airport.

Kejriwal insisted that only AAP can set up an honest government in Punjab. “Congress has reduced the government to a spectacle. I congratulate Charanjit Singh Channi on becoming the CM but people of Punjab want certain things to be done. There are allegations that tainted ministers have been inducted in the Cabinet, I would request him to remove all tainted ministers, MLAs and officials. FIRs should be registered against them immediately,” he said.

Kejriwal woos industry: no more corruption and inspector rule, better law and order, 24-hour cheap electricity and helpline service

Inviting the Punjab industrialists, traders, and businessmen to be partners in AAP and the future AAP government in Punjab, party’s national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday promised to provide a 24-hour helpline service to the industrialists and businessmen for a permanent relief from the ‘inspector raj’ and best law and order for a peaceful atmosphere.

“Before the elections politicians come to the businessmen for funds, but today I have come to seek the support of the businessmen, traders, and industrialists of Punjab... If China and other countries are to be left behind in the industry, trade-friendly decisions would be made by the traders, businessmen and industrialists and the AAP government would implement them,” he declared.

Kejriwal said that the ‘inspector raj’, corruption, and goonda tax continues unabated, which will be strictly stopped. “No politician or official will be able to intimidate businessmen,” he declared.

Making another big announcement, he said that on the lines of the Delhi government, businessmen will not have to go to government offices for their work; the officer-employee of the concerned department will come at door step, at one’s house and the work will be done by sitting at home. Similarly, Kejriwal also announced 24-hour cheap power supply to industries.

Kejriwal added that when the AAP forms the government, there will be a panel of industry and business based representatives, which will meet the Chief Minister every 15 days. “All the relevant bureaucracy will also be present there. Whatever decisions are made there will be implemented immediately,” he added.