Kejriwal lauds 'honest' AAP regime, says previous governments 'ruined' Punjab

Accusing the previous governments of "ruining" Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said an "honest" regime led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is on the contrary working for the welfare of people. He lauded his party's government for acting tough against drug smugglers and bringing an "education revolution" in the state. Kejriwal was addressing a gathering on the occasion of the martyrdom day of legendary freedom fighter Udham Singh. The AAP chief earlier along with Mann paid tributes at the Shaheed Udham Singh memorial here. Kejriwal also blamed the previous governments for the problem of drug menace in the state. Taking potshots at the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP, he alleged, "The way their (previous) governments destroyed Punjab, government schools and hospitals, there was corruption everywhere, they looted money." "Punjab's situation has started improving in the last three years," said Kejriwal while referring to the AAP government's tenure in the state. On the state government's anti-drug drive, Kejriwal said the drug smugglers are being arrested and put behind bars.

The backbone of drug supply networks has been broken and the manner in which this anti-drug campaign has been launched finds no parallel in contemporary Indian history, he added. Without naming anyone, the AAP chief said the most notorious and feared drug lord has been put behind bars by the state government. Kejriwal further said exemplary action will be taken against such people, who ruined the future of our coming generations, adding none of them will be spared for such heinous crimes. The former Delhi chief minister said Punjab has seen "revolutionary" changes in every sector under the AAP regime. "Today, an education revolution is going on in Punjab. Good results (of government schools) are coming. The children of poor families are now joining IITs and they are becoming engineers, doctors and advocates. People of Punjab never expected such a government," he added. Asserting canal water is now reaching the tail end of villages, the AAP national convener said, "During previous governments, farmers had to wake up in the night to switch on their motors (to irrigate their crops)." "But today, farmers are getting eight hours of electricity supply during the day time and it is happening for the first time," he added. Kejriwal said the work on construction of 20,000 km of rural roads in the state will start from September. Escalating his attack on the previous governments, Kejriwal said that they used to claim lack of funds for carrying out development works. "We never said there are no funds. It is the same money, same budget, same officers but those who run the governments have changed.

It is the AAP government, which is an honest government. We are doing all your works," he added. Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 85 crore to give facelift to Shaheed Udham Singh Wala town, the AAP leader said that the legendary freedom fighter made a supreme sacrifice for the sake of the country's freedom. India's freedom struggle saw countless sacrifices for the sake of the country to carve out an egalitarian society to ensure welfare of the weaker and underprivileged sections, he added. Kejriwal, however, said it is unfortunate that even after 75 years of freedom none of their aspirations have been fulfilled as those in power misused their authority to plunder wealth. Speaking at the event, Mann said it is the state government's duty to pay tributes to such legendary martyrs, who laid down their lives for the sake of the country. The chief minister said that naming airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy. Mann said the AAP is making tireless efforts to realize the dreams of the legendary martyrs, adding it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that this government is making concerted efforts in this regard. The state government has been making efforts to ensure comprehensive development of the state and prosperity of its people, he added. The chief minister also spoke about the 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna', which will provide cashless medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. Punjab is the first state in the country to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which will significantly ease the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services. He said that 55,000 government jobs have been given so far to the state's youth, Aam Aadmi clinics have been opened to impart quality health services to people, schools have been renovated across the state and canal water is reaching the tail end to benefit farmers.