In a resolute declaration, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday affirmed that winning the Sangrur and Jalandhar Lok Sabha seats is not just a political imperative but a matter of prestige for his party.
Mann, addressing the significance of these constituencies during a crucial meeting held with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs and office bearers in Jalandhar on Sunday ahead of the commencement of a one-day hunger strike at Khatkar Kalan, emphasized that victory in both seats is non-negotiable and must be achieved ‘at any cost’.
Having clinched victory twice in the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency himself, Mann underscored the historical significance of Sangrur as an AAP stronghold and highlighted Jalandhar’s recent inclusion as another critical battleground for the party in the wake of switchover by party’s sitting MP, and an MLA to the BJP.
Mann urged the party leaders to unite and channel their collective efforts towards ensuring victory in both constituencies, emphasizing that winning the Jalandhar seat should be accorded the highest priority. “Now both the seats are very important for us. We have special focus on both and we have to win them at any cost. Our first priority should be to win the Jalandhar seat at any cost,” he said.
The agenda of the meeting primarily focused on strategizing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and charting out a course for securing victory in the constituency. Notably, this marked the first meeting in Jalandhar for Chief Minister Mann since the defections of MP Sushil Kumar Rinku and MLA Sheetal Angural, along with several councilors and local leaders, from the party to the BJP.
Mann engaged with local leaders to assess the prevailing situation following the departure of Rinku and Angural from the party.
Amidst discussions surrounding the departure of AAP MP Sushil Rinku from the party, Mann displayed a dismissive attitude, asserting that Rinku's defection would be met with a resounding response from the public in the upcoming elections.
Characterizing Rinku as lacking personal support, Mann urged the party leaders to effectively communicate the unprecedented achievements and developmental work undertaken by the AAP Government over the past two years. “He has betrayed the party and the public will answer the betrayer in the elections. Sushil Rinku was made an MP by the Aam Aadmi Party and got recognition, but he betrayed us,” he said.
Despite Rinku's defection to the BJP, AAP is yet to finalize its candidate from Jalandhar, underscoring the critical importance of strategic decision-making in the lead-up to the elections.
Mann further pledged to take a hands-on approach in overseeing campaign efforts, advocating for grassroots engagement and the organization of small-scale events to foster direct interaction with voters at the village level.
In a bid to galvanize volunteers and grassroots workers, whom he hailed as the backbone of the party, Mann rallied them under the slogan of ‘13-0’, symbolizing the party's unwavering determination to secure victory in all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.
Reiterating the significant strides made by the AAP Government over the past two years, he emphasizing that all promises made to the people had been fulfilled while underscoring the importance of conveying these accomplishments to the public.
Mann’s presence in Jalandhar underscored the strategic significance of the constituency in the upcoming elections and signaled the party's commitment to consolidating its electoral base in the region. As preparations intensify ahead of the polls, AAP's leadership is actively engaged in mobilizing support and galvanizing party workers to ensure a robust campaign in Jalandhar and beyond.
