Taking on the traditional political parties — Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal — for allegedly patronising “notorious criminals” and “mafia” during their governments, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday declared to make the state a gangster-free land to make the state prosperous in the coming days.
Mann, holding road-show in Dirba, Khanauri, Lehra, Chhajli, Jakhepal, Cheema, Longowal and Sunam areas in favour of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gurmail Singh for bypoll to Sangrur Lok Sabha seat, said that those who are responsible for introducing gangster culture in the State are today making hue and cry over it.
Asserting that the pen is mightier than the sword, Mann said: “Just like we worship the God before eating meals, I bow down to my pen every morning to ensure that every decision is taken for the welfare of people, who have made me the CM.” Mann said that everyone knows that previous governments in the State had allegedly patronised the gangsters and used them for fulfilling their political interests.
“I haven't brought gangsters with me but I assure you that I will make the state a gangster-free land,” he said.
Mann said that opposition leaders have been alarmed by the Government's action against corruption and the mafia, with many now afraid of going to jail.
He said that opposition parties are not able to digest the work done by the “pro-people AAP government.” He claimed that works, which were not done in 75 years, have been accomplished in the first three months of the AAP government in the state.
“People of Sangrur showered love on me and made me the CM of Punjab. I am the voice of people and each action is meant for the development of the state,” he said while thanking the people for electing 92 AAP MLAs, giving the party a thumping majority.
Taking a dig at BJP candidate Kewal Singh Dhillon, Mann said that he doesn’t have a stand and shifted his alliance ahead of polls to get political mileage. “Akali Dal is seeking votes by playing the panthic card while being MP Sukhbir Badal and her wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal did not do anything for the release of prisoned Sikhs,” he said.
Mann also attacked SAD (Amritsar) candidate Simranjit Singh Mann for advocating swords and violence. CM also blamed Congress for shielding corrupt leaders and mafia.
Praising AAP candidate Gurmail Singh, Mann said: “He is a young man like me and understands the pain of the common man. By becoming an MP, he will raise the voice of the people of Sangrur in the Lok Sabha.”
June 23 bypoll will be AAP's first major electoral battle after it formed the government in Punjab. Sangrur Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Bhagwant Mann contested and won from Dhuri assembly segment in the 2022 assembly elections.
Gurmail Singh is AAP's Sangrur district in-charge, while the Congress has placed its bet on former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy. The BJP has fielded former Congressman and Barnala’s ex-MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon, who joined the party on June 4. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann is also contesting the elections. Kamaldeep Kaur, foster sister of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh's assassination case, has been fielded by the Shiromani Akali Dal.
AAP WILL MAKE A HAT-TRICK IN SANGRUR: CHEEMA
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday said that Congress and SAD leaders were shielding the gangsters, but now an investigation is underway to unearth wrongdoing during previous governments. “If any political leaders or officers were found to be linked with criminals during the probe, they will be put behind the bars,” said Cheema while campaigning for AAP candidate Gurmail Singh in Sangrur.
He said that AAP will score a hat-trick in Sangrur by-election and Gurmail Singh will win the seat by a landslide victory on the basis of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's three months governance.
Cheema claimed that in the first two months of Mann Government, 26,454 job advertisements were issued for unemployed youth, Rs 1500 per acre incentive for direct sowing of paddy, free ration to households, 300 units of free electricity and other decisions were taken by the government in just three months.
“AAP is the strongest party in Sangrur and all the opponents have joined together to malign AAP...Other candidates will not be able to secure security deposits and the Congress, SAD and BJP presidents will resign later,” he said.
