Amid rising Coronavirus infection in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday rallied in Baghapurana, Moga. Addressing the crowd of supporters, Kejriwal said that Punjab is a land of heroes and the people of the Punjab are the first ones to raise their voices against any injustice. Farmers movement is a movement of the whole country and not just limited to only one state. If these three farm laws are implemented then the farmers will have nothing left, added Kejriwal.
Addressing the mahapanchyat, the Delhi CM said he has come to Punjab to give the farmers movement a new lease of life. He adds that Punjab CM and BJP both have made false promises to the people of Punjab. The AAP government is resolute in making the Centre repeal the farm laws and see the farm laws as harmful to farmers welfare. The mahapanchayat becomes especially significant because Punjab heads for assembly elections next year.
Punjab had shown the rest of the country how peaceful protests are held, Kejriwal said.
“Modi has brought these farm laws to snatch the lands of poor farmers. He is also trying to disturb us,” he said. He also referred to the recent National Capital Region Amendment Bill introduced in Parliament this Budget session. His government sees the Bill as an attempt to further weaken Delhi’s existing status by handing over administrative powers to the Lieutenant Governor, and therefore, the Centre.
“I know how to deal with BJP and its leaders. I’ve been fighting a battle for the people of Delhi for the past 6 years and hopefully, the blessings of the people will help me succeed,” he said.
The Kejriwal government and the Lieutenant Governor and Centre have often been in disagreements with each other.
Claiming that AAP has always been a supporter of the farmer protests and farmers issues, Kejriwal said, “When I first tried to step out from my house to visit the Singhu border the Delhi Police put me under house arrest. But I did not lose heart. I repeatedly tried to go out and finally, the police allowed me to visit the farmers. I went there and provided food, water, medicines, and shelter to the protesting farmers,” he added.
Accusing Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of not fulfilling the promises he made last assembly elections, the Delhi CM said, “No jobs have been provided, no smartphones distributed among youths, and farm loans have not been waived,” he said, asserting that the people of Punjab will ask Amarinder of his promises in the coming elections.
He said the time has come to teach them a lesson for broken promises. “If you vote for us, we will give unemployment allowances to the youths, provide free power, improve law and order situation, provide free education, health services and pull out the peasants from the prevailing farm crisis,” he said.
If the AAP government comes to Punjab, it will find a way out of the unemployment crisis and the declining farm income.
Sangrur Member of Parliament Bhagwant Mann was also present at the rally.
Earlier, on Sunday, Kejriwal arrived in Amritsar on his transit visit before heading to attend the Kisan mahapanchayat at the grain market of Baghapurana in Moga.
Civic authorities have removed AAP boards and hoardings before Kejriwal’s visit.
On being asked about the health guidelines and restrictions that were imposed by the Congress-led Punjab government for carrying a rally amid the surge in coronavirus cases, Mann said, “Congress party has been contesting Assembly elections and holding rallies in Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam, was the Covid threat under consideration then? Why did they do so when AAP was holding an event, that too for the farmers? Moreover, all arrangements were in place when it comes to the Covid -19 health guidelines at the venue of the event. Proper sanitizing mechanisms and social distancing were being maintained there. I, myself, had undergone Covid testing”, he said.
Kejriwal was welcomed by AAP Punjab head Bhagwant Mann at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport.