National/ Punjab Desk
12 February
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that the state will be presented as a model of development for the entire country before the upcoming assembly elections. He dismissed claims by the Congress that there is internal rebellion within the Punjab unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Speaking to the media after a meeting with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal at Kapurthala House, Mann said that AAP is a party built with hard work and dedication. He assured that AAP leaders and workers remain fully committed.
Mann’s statement came after Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, claimed that over 30 AAP MLAs were in touch with the Congress and could switch sides. Dismissing these claims, Mann said, “Instead of counting our MLAs, Bajwa should see how many Congress MLAs are left in Delhi.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that AAP’s Punjab leaders worked tirelessly in the Delhi Assembly elections, for which Kejriwal thanked them. He emphasized that the Punjab government is working for the welfare of the people in areas like electricity and education and will now accelerate its efforts.
Mann also said that AAP does not engage in politics of religion or violence. “Our party is known for its work. We will implement Delhi’s experience in Punjab and make it a model state for the country,” he added.
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan mentioned that discussions were held on making Punjab a national-level model and analyzing Delhi’s election defeat. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema added that the meeting focused on accelerating Punjab’s development over the next two years and expanding AAP across the country.