AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP candidates held rallies in Punjab’s Barnala and Gidderbaha for the by-election, highlighting the party’s transformative governance. “Only in Punjab and Delhi do people get zero electricity bills, this is nothing short of a miracle,” said Arvind Kejriwal. He added, “We’ve regularized jobs, built Mohalla Clinics, and revamped schools, fulfilling every promise made to the people.”
AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal expressed pride in the people’s overwhelming support, stating that two and a half years ago, they gave a historic mandate, paving the way for the formation of their government in Punjab. He said, “out of 117 seats, AAP won an unprecedented 92, something no party in Punjab’s history had ever achieved. Such a decisive mandate came with significant expectations, as people hoped their promises would be fulfilled. “Since then, our government has been working tirelessly, day and night, 24/7, to deliver on those expectations,” he said.
The AAP Chief noted, “During our election campaigns, people across Punjab often shared that their biggest issue was dealing with exorbitant electricity bills, sometimes amounting to thousands of rupees. After forming the government, we fulfilled our promise by making electricity free and waiving off all previous pending bills.”
“Today, when I ask if anyone still receives electricity bills, not a single hand is raised, because everyone’s bills are now zero. This was our biggest promise, and I’m proud to say we delivered on it. In the whole nation, only in Delhi and Punjab do people pay zero in electricity bills,” added the former Delhi CM.
Expressing his commitment to delivering on promises, Arvind Kejriwal emphasized that the AAP’s government has prioritized free healthcare for the people of Punjab. “Mohalla Clinics are being set up across the state, Civil Hospitals are being upgraded, and all medicines, tests, and treatments are now provided free of cost. If anyone visits a Mohalla Clinic, they will see that everything is absolutely free,” he noted.
Reflecting on employment reforms, the former Delhi CM added, “So far, 48,000 government jobs have been given. Earlier, securing a government job required bribes, connections, or recommendations. Without knowing an officer, minister, or MLA, it was nearly impossible. But for these 48,000 jobs, not a single rupee in bribes was involved, nor was any job granted through recommendations.”
The AAP Chief added that during my earlier visits in the election campaign to Punjab, I’d see youth climbing water tanks to demand regularization of their jobs. Many have been regularized now, and work is ongoing for the rest. In the past two and a half years, our MLAs have worked tirelessly for the people of Punjab.
Arvind Kejriwal said to the people of Barnala, “Meet Hayer, whom you elected with love and blessings, now represents you in Delhi’s Parliament, following Bhagwant Mann. Now, it’s time to bless us again by electing Harinder Dhaliwal. For 35 years before 2022, Barnala was neglected because the state government and Barnala’s MLA were always from different parties. When there was an Akali government, there was a Congress MLA, and vice versa.”
The AAP Supremo emphasized that in 2022, for the first time, Punjab got an AAP government, and Barnala got an AAP MLA in Meet Hayer. That’s when true development began in Barnala. Over the past two and a half years, so much has been accomplished, and many more projects are in the pipeline.
He further emphasized, “Take, for instance, the issue of water. Previously, water from the canal in Barnala wasn’t reaching the farmers’ fields. Our government ensured that water now flows to every field. We also took steps to conserve 20% of the water that was being wasted underground by relining the canal with concrete. This saved water will greatly benefit our farmers and enhance their agriculture.”
He continued, “Our government has also been committed to improving infrastructure in the region. In villages, we’ve built community centres, libraries, ponds, dharamshalas, schools, stadiums, and playgrounds. A large sports stadium is currently under development in Sanghera village, and several playgrounds are being constructed in Barnala city. Furthermore, projects worth Rs 87 crore have been approved to upgrade drinking water and sewer systems in Barnala.”
Arvind Kejriwal passionately stated that all the broken roads in Barnala will be repaired and Rs 25 crore have been sanctioned for repair works. Main junctions in the city will be beautified, and the city’s ring road will be upgraded to a four-lane road. He said, “The civil hospital is being improved, and a trauma centre will be built alongside it. Furthermore, land has been identified for an industrial focal point in Barnala city, a long-standing demand from the people.”
He continued, “These are just a few examples of the many projects we’ve undertaken. But there’s a critical condition for this progress to continue: the MLA must belong to the same party as the government. If you elect an MLA from another party, all development work will stop, and nothing will get done.”
The AAP Chief appealed, “I request you to bless us again, as you have over the past two and a half years. Under Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, Barnala has received significant funding and development. Barnala is the capital for AAP’s activity in Punjab. Since AAP was formed in 2012, Barnala has always supported us in every election. This love and support from the people of Barnala have been invaluable.”
He said to the supporters in Barnala that Harinder Dhaliwal is one of you, your own son who is always with you, day and night. He remarked, “Please cast your vote early in the morning and then return home to enjoy your breakfast. I am confident that, just as you have supported us in the past, you will bless us again and ensure a big victory for us.”
Arvind Kejriwal, while appealing for support for party candidate Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon in Gidderbaha, highlighted, “Everyone’s electricity bill here is zero. This is a miracle. Across the country, only the people of Delhi and Punjab have zero electricity bills. In other states, electricity is so expensive that people struggle to manage their households, as most of their income goes toward electricity bills. The historic decision you made two and a half years ago by giving us a massive majority has directly benefited you.”
He added, “Civil hospitals across Punjab are being transformed under Dr Balbir Singh’s leadership. All treatments, medicines, and surgeries are now free. You don’t have to worry about medical expenses if someone in your family falls ill. The AAP government will take care of it. I’ve been told the civil hospital here is in terrible condition. We’ll fix it, make it excellent, and ensure that even wealthy people prefer getting treated here instead of going to private hospitals.”
On education, the AAP Supremo stated, “We are revamping government schools across Punjab by building new ones and transforming existing ones. However, Gidderbaha has been left behind because the MLA from another party only engages in fights. If you elect an MLA from the ruling party, work will get done. But if the MLA is from another party, they’ll waste five years fighting. With an AAP MLA, I promise all the pending work of the last 28 years will be completed within two and a half years. There is no shortage of funds.”
He addressed local issues, saying, “The villages and towns of Gidderbaha face serious sewer system problems, which we will resolve. We’ll provide clean drinking water to every household within two and a half years. Playgrounds will be developed, ponds in villages will be repaired, sheds in grain markets will be fixed, and storage capacity will be increased. All broken roads will be rebuilt. Earlier, governments claimed there was a shortage of funds. But under our honest government, every penny is being spent on people. The money that once went to private accounts is now being invested in development.”
Arvind Kejriwal concluded, “You must ensure a landslide victory for the AAP candidate and defeat the opposition. The future of Gidderbaha lies in your hands. Just as Punjab changed its fate two and a half years ago, it’s time for you to change the fate of Gidderbaha as well.”
AAP’s Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, while addressing a rally in Barnala, said, “Earlier, we only used ‘jhadu’ to clean our homes and shops, but under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, AAP’s jhadu (party symbol) will now clean all of India. ‘Jhadu’ (’s) magic has worked in several states; our MLAs are in Gujarat and Goa, our mayor is in Chandigarh, and we even have an MLA in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda constituency.
He asserted, “No party in India has grown as quickly as AAP in just ten years, and it’s all thanks to your love and support. Barnala has always showered us with immense affection, and I urge you to fill our hearts with the same love in this 2024 by-election. Don’t trust leaders who keep switching parties for money.”
Bhagwant Mann further added, “AAP is the only party that has worked for people, forcing even big parties to change their manifestos. Earlier, no one talked about schools, hospitals, or electricity. Today, I handed out appointment letters to over 1,700 youth joining Punjab Police, bringing the total government job appointments to over 48,000 in two and a half years. This is the politics of work that Arvind Kejriwal taught us. Give us your support, and we will ensure Barnala sees even greater development.”
