Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday asserted that the next government at the Centre cannot be formed without the support of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), emphasizing the crucial role the party is poised to play in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking confidently, Mann declared that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, a pan-India alliance of opposition parties, will assume power in the aftermath of the polls, foreseeing a victory of 120-125 seats out of the 190 contested in the initial phases.
“AAP will be a partner in the (next) government. The next government cannot be formed without AAP's support,” Mann affirmed, underlining the significance of AAP's participation in shaping the political landscape. Despite being a part of the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc along with the Congress, AAP is contesting the Lok Sabha elections independently in Punjab.
Mann, addressing a gathering in Barnala in support of AAP's Sangrur candidate Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, expressed confidence in the party's stronghold in the constituency, asserting that Sangrur remains firmly in AAP's grasp. “Sangrur is and will always be AAP’s capital,” he declared.
Highlighting Kejriwal's concern for Sangrur, Mann recounted his recent meeting with the AAP chief in jail, where Kejriwal enquired about the constituency. “Today, seeing the enthusiasm of the people here, it is clear that we are winning Sangrur by a huge margin,” Mann proclaimed, echoing his optimism for AAP's performance in the polls.
Enumerating the achievements of his government, Mann cited initiatives such as providing free electricity to 90 percent of households, abolishing toll plazas, and enhancing road safety measures. He also highlighted efforts to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for farmers and increase canal water supply to conserve groundwater. With these accomplishments, Mann projected a promising future for Punjab under AAP's governance.
AAP Will Win Ludhiana By Huge Margin: Mann
Chief Minister Mann on Sunday experienced an overwhelming response while campaigning for AAP candidate Ashok Parashar Pappi in Ludhiana, with thousands of enthusiastic supporters joining the roadshow, echoing chants of 'Aam Aadmi Party zindabad', 'Inquilab Zindabad', and 'Bhagwant Mann zindabad'.
Mann, addressing the vibrant gathering, emphasized Ludhiana's pivotal role as the heart of Punjab, stating that winning the seat signifies winning the heart of the state. Reflecting on his connection with Ludhiana, Mann affectionately referred to it as his ‘Karambhoomi’, and reminisced about his early career as a comedian in the city.
Asserting confidence in AAP's victory, Mann praised the fervent energy of Ludhiana's residents, declaring, “We are winning this seat by a huge margin.”
Punjab CM to Meet Kejriwal in Tihar on April 30
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will meet AAP supremo and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar jail on April 30. This will be Mann’s second meeting with Kejriwal in Tihar. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an excise policy-linked money-laundering case. Mann met Kejriwal in jail earlier this month and alleged that the AAP chief was not being given amenities provided even to hardcore criminals.
