Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal addressed the newly-elected 92 party MLAs of Punjab via video conferencing on Sunday. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also attended the meet in Mohali.
Kejriwal praised Mann for his efforts to raise employment, help farmers and launch the anti-corruption helpline numbers.
Kejriwal said: “The security given to the ministers and VIPs in the government was removed and the officers were instead deputed for the security of people of Punjab. Compensation for crops damaged in October last year was pending. In just three-four days, the due compensation to the farmers was cleared, and I am being told that their cheques will be handed over to them in another three-four days.”
The AAP convener also urged the ministers and MLAs to complete the target or else strict action would be taken against them. Advising the ministers to complete the target given by Mann, Kejriwal said: “If you indulge in any form of corruption, you will never get another chance. If you are unable to complete the targets, maybe we can give you one or two chances to complete the work. Strict action will be taken against any leader who is found indulging in corruption. Many MLAs are doing ground inspections, visiting local schools, local hospitals, and local offices. But please do not misbehave, do not threaten the officials.”
Ten ministers joined Mann’s government in the state on Saturday. However, veterans Aman Arora, Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Professor Baljinder Kaur, Kultar Sadhwan and principal Budhram, who got elected for the second time, were not made ministers. It is believed that some of these leaders had shown rebellious attitudes.
Kejriwal said: “Some MLAs are unhappy about not becoming ministers. We have got 92 seats and only 17 will become ministers. We have to work as a team. Give up your selfishness and ambition. If greed comes in the way, Punjab will be defeated.” Concluding his conference, he said: “I want to thank the people and the volunteers who have worked day and night. I want to congratulate Mann and all the elected MLAs. I also want to congratulate Punjab in-charge Jarnail Singh and co in-charge Raghav Chadha for the victory. I also want to congratulate Sandeep Pathak who led all the Punjab campaigns.”
In his address, Mann said: “There will be a survey of every MLA. If you want to secure your seat, you will have to make strong friendship with the public. Reports of MLAs will come to us. I am not intimidating you but giving you advice. Meet the ministers but don’t ask for wrongdoing.”
“Malwa, Majha or Doaba areas and caste system should not come in the way of your work. We belong to the whole of Punjab,” he added.
The CM further told the MLAs: “As many as 25,000 government jobs have been released. Don’t recommend someone while killing someone else’s rights. There should be no vendetta.”