Tarn Taran-Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Friday, campaigned for Khadoor Sahib MP candidate Laljit Singh Bhullar in Patti, Tarn Taran and lambasted all opposition leaders from Narendra Modi to Badal, from Captain to Jakhar.
Addressing a huge public gathering in Patti, CM said that for the very first time the people of Punjab have their own government in the state. Earlier there was only 'raje and rajwade'. Mann was referring to Captain as Raja and Badals as Rajwade and said that they looted Punjab, amassed wealth and property and now they call the common people 'malang' and 'material'. He said that they built their dynasties while looting Punjab and its people, that is why the people of Punjab have thrown them out of power, now they are begging people for a chance.
He said that in 2024 Punjab will become a hero, will set an example because all 13 candidates of the AAP will win and represent the state in the parliament. He said that traditional parties ruined our childhood, they ruined our youth and they ruined the lives of elderly people. They are even ready to ruin the future of our children and our next generations. But we are going to vote against them. The times have changed. There was a time when they used to come to you with folded hands at the time of election and then abandon you for five years to live their luxurious lives. But now the change is here, new kind of politics is here. They think that your votes are for sale, that they will come to you at the last moment, will offer you a couple of thousands for your vote and win. But we have to get united against them. We have to defeat them and their low thinking.
Mann also attacked PM Modi and said that his decision to arrest Arvind Kejriwal proves 'Vinash Kale Buddhi Viprit'. He said that they (BJP) are scared of the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. They think that by arresting Arvind Kejriwal they can stop the Aam Aadmi Party but they are mistaken. They can only arrest the body of Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal is more than that, he is an idea, a thinking, they can never arrest his thinking, hence they can never stop him or his party. He said that Arvind Kejriwal and his wife, both were income tax commissioners but they wanted to serve people and end the corruption in the system. So, Arvind Kejriwal joined the anti-corruption movement and later founded the Aam Aadmi Party. He said that we came out of a movement, we are not scared of jails.
Mann said that these elections are very important. We have to use our right to vote very carefully and sincerely, we are fighting to save our constitution and our democracy. Because if this time the hate mongers win, they will finish our democracy, there will be no more elections. Mann said that we took oath at the village of Shaheed-e-azam Bhagat Singh, Bhagat Singh was never concerned about whether we will get independence or not, he knew we will, he was more worried about who will run this country after independence, his worries were correct, see how they looted us for 70-75 years, there are still people without basic amenities and we still don't have proper infrastructure. We have to end this loot now. He said that he is standing there today after giving 43 thousand jobs without any bribe or recommendation. If it is possible now, it was possible back then too, but traditional politicians lack the intention to do anything for the common people. He said that now the migration of our youth is slowing down because they are getting jobs in Punjab.
Mann said that before the farmers used to get 8 hours of electricity, that too heavily interpreted, because dynast politicians don't know anything about farming. But after forming the government, Mann called a meeting of officers and instructed them to give 11 hours of uninterrupted electricity to the farmers and that too in daytime so they can water their crops without any trouble. Mann said that in daylight we give you electricity to our farmers, and at night we sell surplus electricity to big cities like Mumbai. Mann said that the PSPCL earned 90 crores by selling electricity. It was only possible because we have three thermal plants now and a coal mine in Jharkhand. Mann said that on his one request the farmers, instead of PUSA-44 which take more than 150 days to get ready, cultivated PR-126, PR-127, PR-128 etc, which saved 477 crores worth of electricity and 5 billion cusecs groundwater. Times of India did detailed news on it. Mann said that he didn't even have to make law about it, people listen to him and work alongside him to save the resources of our state. He said that it is because he works according to the people, he listens to the people and their problems and their demands. He said that now the canal water is reaching every corner of every field in Punjab. The AAP government is even building a new dam and canal for the Doaba region.
Mann thanked the people for trusting him with this responsibility of leading the state and said that he asked for this job and he never gets tired because he gets so much support and love from the people. He said that he promised that the government will run from villages and towns and he made it possible, government officials come to your doorsteps to do your work. He said that he keeps an eye on all the pending files in all departments and inquires about them from time to time. He said that his government has fulfilled all the guarantees given by the AAP during 2022 elections, except one, but he is saving up for that too, soon the women of Punjab will get 1000 rupees per month too. He said that he is filling Punjab's exchequer and turning it towards the common people. He said that they are giving Rs 1 crore ex-gratia to the families of martyred armi soldiers because the lives of our soldiers are priceless and after their death it is the responsibility of the government to take care of their families. The AAP government also waived off the tax on the vehicles used for our holy books like Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Geeta and Quran because ultimately we ask almighty for everything.
He said that our history and culture is rich. Bhagat Singh sacrificed his life for our country at the young age of 23. Today the BJP is rejecting tableau of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Madan Lal Dhingra and Lala Lajpat Rai. Who are they to reject our martyrs and their sacrifices. They forgot who fought for the independence, thanks to whom there is a chair of the PM today. He said that where do Captain, Jakhar and Manpreet Badal go, when there are times to raise their voice for Punjab. He said that today because of the mistake of Captain, the centre is withholding 5500 crores of Punjab's Rural Development Fund. He said that now Punjab will give 130 lakh metric tons of wheat to the country, we give 190 lakh metric tons of rice to the country but when our farmers ask for their rights, they (BJP) put barbed wires and fire bullets and tear gas shells at them. He asked the people to give him more strength, to give him 13 arms and voices that will raise your issues in the parliament. If your votes validated my decisions and work then I'll work even harder to live up to all your expectations. Mann said he used to be alone in the parliament, but he used to take on everybody for Punjab and Punjabis, now send 13 pro-people voices to the biggest panchayat of our country to solve your problems and to guard your rights. He said that as per reports, the INDIA alliance is making the government, BJP is losing badly, we will be partners in the INDIA government, no one will be able to stop our funds.
Mann said that the journalists in Delhi asked him how much corruption has cost our country, I told them we will calculate once it's stopped, because corruption is still going on, there are looters at the top who are selling the resources and institutes of this country to the capitalists. Mann said that the corruption will stop the day Arvind Kejriwal became the PM, the corruption will stop in this country the day we have the Aam Aadmi Party government at the centre.
Mann, appealing to the people of Patti, said that sometimes mistakes happen, little problems and obstacles appear but do not stop, keep moving towards development, our goals are bigger. He also asked AAP candidate Laljit Singh Bhullar to not give irresponsible statements, he said that we are here to do politics of work, we are here to save our democracy and constitution, we are here to build schools and hospitals and give jobs to our youth. He said that the AAP government is the government of every section of Punjab, we do not discriminate in any way and no discrimination will be tolerated. He said that we are asking for votes on the basis of our work in two years, and Narendra Modi, after his government at centre for 10 years, us asking for votes on the basis of religion and caste, he is making statements about manglasutra. He said that Punjab is known for its communal harmony, we celebrate our Gurpurabs, Eids and Navamis together, it is our fortune and we take pride in it.