Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday orchestrated a strategic offensive in the Badal bastion — Bathinda, claiming supremacy and prophesying victory on all 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. AAP's top brass, led by national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, spearheaded the assault against political adversaries — Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP — while concurrently unveiling development projects worth a staggering Rs 1,125 crore at Maur Mandi in Bathinda.
Kejriwal’s audacious assertion of clinching all 13 seats assumes heightened significance as AAP aligns itself with the pan-India opposition bloc — Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). The alliance, which also includes the Congress party, is scheduled to convene a crucial meeting on December 19, the very day Kejriwal embarks on a 10-day Vipassana retreat. The altered dynamics within the INDIA bloc following the recent assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram — wherein the BJP emerged victorious in three states — adds an intriguing layer to AAP's political posturing.
Addressing the gathering in Bathinda, Kejriwal emphasized the non-election nature of the event, underscoring that it was a platform to deliver a substantial developmental package rather than a conventional election rally. The allocation of Rs 1,125 crore for various developmental projects was presented as a testament to AAP's commitment to progress and prosperity.
AAP leadership, exuding confidence in their electoral prospects, is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for the upcoming general elections. While AAP's cadre in Delhi actively engages in a door-to-door campaign, rallying citizens for a favourable opinion in case the Chief Minister faces arrest, the party's approach in Punjab revolves around leveraging every significant announcement as an opportunity for mass-contact programs.
The ‘Vikas Kranti’ rallies organized in Punjab, meticulously orchestrated with AAP’s entire top brass gracing the stage, serve as a clarion call, sounding the poll bugle for the party in the State. The intricate balance between governance-focused initiatives and political posturing highlights AAP’s dual strategy in shaping public opinion.
Mann Accuses BJP of Stalling Funds, Alleges ‘Nefarious Designs’ for Punjab
Launching a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the saffron party of harbouring sinister intentions towards the border state by deliberately obstructing crucial funds.
Mann, speaking during the inauguration of developmental projects worth Rs 1,125 crore in Bathinda, lambasted the Centre for its alleged malevolent tactics. The focal point of Mann's criticism was the contentious issue of trains for the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme.
He claimed that the BJP-led Union Government has “maliciously” halted the pilgrimage initiative by withholding the allotment of trains to the State. Despite advanced payments made to the railways, the scheduled trains for December 7 and 15 were denied to Punjab, said Mann.
Expressing outrage, Mann claimed that the BJP’s ulterior motive behind this obstruction was to prevent people from paying homage at revered religious places. “They do not want people to offer prayers. They wrote that we do not have engines,” said Mann, questioning the irony of the BJP aspiring for a “double-engine government” in states when it seemingly lacks the engines to facilitate basic services such as trains for pilgrimages.
Showing his mobile phone, referring to a mail by the Indian railways, Mann said: “Railways says that it does not have any engines, and you are talking of a double engine ki sarkar. First, give us engines from the Railways. You have double engines in Rajasthan and MP.”
In his address, Mann underscored the secular ethos of Punjab, emphasizing the equal celebration of all religions in the state. He accused the Centre of attempting to incite religious discord by insinuating that the lack of riots in Punjab was a problem for them.
Mann further detailed alleged instances of funds being deliberately stalled by the Union government. He claimed that funds for ‘Aam Aadmi Clinics’ and rural development, amounting to Rs 5,500 crore, were obstructed. “If these funds are released, a substantial network of 67,000 kms road links to villages could have been constructed, significantly benefiting the state,” he said.
Launching a direct challenge to BJP leaders, including Punjab’s former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Punjab unit president Sunil Jakhar, Mann urged the public to question their silence on what he termed the BJP’s “anti-Punjab” stance.
He accused the Modi government of suffering from an “anti-Punjab syndrome”, alleging a deliberate agenda to undermine the progress and welfare initiatives undertaken by the state government.
Kejriwal Accuses Centre of Withholding Funds for Punjab's Development
In a fiery speech at the Vikas Kranti rally, AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP-led Central Government of intentionally obstructing funds allocated to Punjab. Kejriwal alleged that the Centre's actions were impeding crucial developmental initiatives undertaken by his party's government in the state.
Kejriwal’s claim aligns with a growing trend of opposition leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asserting fund freezes by the Centre in non-BJP ruled states.
Delhi Chief Minister specifically targeted both the Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress, asserting that they influenced the Centre to halt funds for the AAP-led Punjab Government. He claimed that political adversaries orchestrated collaboration against AAP, fearing that effective governance in Punjab would overshadow their own political standing.
The AAP leader's accusations mirrored Mamata Banerjee's recent claims of fund freezes for MNREGA in West Bengal, emphasizing the need for the Centre to allocate funds for social welfare schemes or step down. The strained relationship between AAP and the BJP extends beyond Punjab to Delhi, where AAP has long accused the Centre of obstructing development work in the national capital.
Kejriwal challenged Akali, BJP, and Congress leadership to list a single developmental achievement in the last 75 years, asserting that AAP's initiatives, including free and quality education, health facilities, and job opportunities for over 40,000 youth, are transforming the state.
Denouncing the collusion of traditional parties against the State government, he accused them of approaching the Union Government to halt funds. Despite these alleged challenges, Kejriwal expressed confidence that the nefarious plans of the Union government would not succeed, and the state government, under the leadership of Bhagwant Mann, would find ways to serve the people.
Kejriwal also pledged unwavering commitment to the welfare of Punjab, vowing to work until the ultimate aim of carving out 'Rangla Punjab' is fulfilled.
Mann Exposes Decades of Exploitation by a “Few Elite Families”
Chief Minister Mann accused a handful of elite families of exploiting the state's resources for their vested interests over the last 25 years. “Out of the five individuals who dominated state politics during this period, two hailed from one family, two from another, and shockingly, one was a Pakistani national,” he quipped.
Expressing deep concern, Mann highlighted how these figures, including the Pakistani national, allegedly plundered the state's wealth, impeding its development.
Mann applauded the people's decisive action during the 2022 assembly polls, which led to the political sidelining of these figures, including the entire Badal family. However, he emphasized that the time has come to oust the remaining Badal face from Bathinda, holding them accountable for the state's past woes.
The Chief Minister asserted that traditional parties are now conspiring against his government due to their envy over the success of a common man's administration. Mann, hailing from a humble background, claimed that these parties are unable to digest the efficient governance by someone outside their elite circles. He urged the people not to be swayed by misleading propaganda and affirmed his commitment to dismantling the long-standing influence of these political families.
Rs 1-cr Financial Assistance to Martyr Agniveer’s Family
Chief Minister Mann, along with Kejriwal, exhibited a poignant gesture of solidarity by presenting a Rs one crore cheque to the family of martyr Amrik Singh — a brave soldier who sacrificed his life in the line of duty while serving in the Indian Army, hailing from Jhanduke village.
Mann conveyed that this financial assistance is a token of deep respect for the supreme sacrifice made by Amrik Singh in service to the nation. He emphasized that the entire nation owes a debt of gratitude to such martyrs who lay down their lives for the country and its people.
Mann underlined the Punjab Government's commitment to recognizing and honoring the immense contribution of soldiers towards preserving the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the country. He reiterated that providing financial aid to the families of martyrs aligns with the state government's duty to ensure the well-being of soldiers and their families.
Commending Punjab Government's initiative, Kejriwal highlighted the stark contrast with the Union Government's Agniveer scheme, which allegedly fails to adequately support the families of martyred soldiers. Kejriwal praised Mann's administration for its commitment to providing substantial financial assistance and honor to the families of Armed Forces personnel who make the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
‘Vikas Kranti’ In Bathinda — Rs 112-CR Projects in Malwa Heartland
· Rs 100 cr for new ultramodern bus stand of Bathinda
· Over 100 cr for Railway Over Bridges
· Rs 94 cr for ring road at Bathinda
· Rs 27 cr for multipurpose auditorium in Bathinda
· Rs 15.61 cr for 50-bedded Critical Care Unit (CCU) Civil Hospital in Bathinda
· Rs 3 cr for building of Sub Tehsil in Goniana Mandi
· Rs 20.07 crore water supply and sewerage projects in Talwandi Sabo and Rama
· 30-bedded Mother Child Hospital at Talwandi Sabo at Rs 6.62 crore
· Rs 5.98 cr for new building of Sub Division Talwandi Sabo
· Rs 14.96 crore for a project to make arrangements to facilitate farmers for potato storage
· Rs 25 cr for C-PYTE project at Borowal
