Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann campaigned on Thursday for Aam Aadmi Party candidates in the Patiala Municipal Corporation elections. He held a grand roadshow with party leaders and workers and appealed to the people to elect AAP candidates. AAP Punjab President Aman Arora, Working President Sharry Kalsi, Cabinet Ministers Varinder Goyal and Dr. Balbir Singh, along with several MLAs, leaders, and office-bearers, joined Mann during the roadshow.
Addressing the people of Patiala, CM Mann said, "I have an old connection with Patiala. From 1997 to 2003, I lived in Patiala. I am familiar with every corner of this city. My village is also not very far from here." He added, "You gave us a historic mandate during the Assembly elections as well.
You elected the Aam Aadmi Party on all nine seats in Patiala and formed our government with a massive majority. I am confident that this time too, you will extend the same support to the Aam Aadmi Party.” The Chief Minister said, “We will restore the old glory of Patiala. Patiala is already a famous city in Punjab, and we will elevate its stature even further.”
The Chief Minister announced that around January 15, a hotel will be inaugurated at Qila Mubarak. Its name is ‘Ranwas.’ It will be India’s first boutique hotel, which will bring global recognition to Patiala. He said that prominent people in the country, who usually visit cities like Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan for weddings or other events, will now also consider coming to Patiala.
The Chief Minister highlighted the work done by his government over the past two and a half years. He said, “We provided 50,000 government jobs to youth purely on merit, without any bribes or favouritism. We have curbed corruption and taken strict action against the corrupt.
During these two and a half years, we opened Mohalla Clinics across Punjab and transformed government hospitals. Similarly, government schools are being made world-class.” He further said that today, 90 percent of households in Punjab are getting free electricity.
Farmers are also getting ample daytime electricity for agriculture without any power cuts. Canal water is being supplied to fields as well. He added, “All this has been possible because our intentions are honest. The leaders of previous governments were corrupt. We are not in politics to earn money or take a share in businesses. We are in politics to share the joys and sorrows of three crore Punjabis.”
Mann launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. He said, “Neither he nor his family has ever stood with Punjab. During the Mughal era, they sided with the Mughals. During British rule, they sided with the British. When there was a Congress government, they sided with Congress.
They were also part of the Akali Dal government. Now that there is a BJP government at the Centre, they are with the BJP. That is why they are in this condition today. Their relevance in Punjab’s politics has completely ended.” He added, “Captain’s family was against the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad.’
When Bhagat Singh and his companions raised the slogan, the royal family here told the British that these are just ten mad kids and it does not matter. They used to call people like Bhagat Singh spoiled children.” Mann urged the people of Patiala to rise above caste and religion and vote on December 21.
He said, “This time, vote for your and your children’s future and for the development of your city. Jharoo is not just a button on the voting machine but a symbol of hope for common people and their children’s better future.”