Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal jointly inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a slew of welfare projects totalling Rs 1,125 crore during a grand ‘Vikas rally’ held in the Bathinda Lok Sabha segment. The event celebrated progress in Punjab as the leaders emphasized their commitment to undoing the years of alleged exploitation of the state’s resources for vested interests.
Chief Minister Mann, addressing the gathering, reflected on the past 25 years of governance in Punjab, asserting that only a handful of individuals had ruled the state, exploiting its resources for personal gains. He claimed that the people had chosen a different path in the 2022 Assembly polls, relegating those leaders to political oblivion. Mann emphasized the need to question the silence of BJP leaders Capt Amarinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar on what he termed the “anti-Punjab” stance of the BJP.
Mann accused the central government of hindering the pro-people initiatives of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, citing the withholding of funds for Aam Aadmi Clinics and the Rural Development Fund worth Rs 5,500 crore. Despite these challenges, he urged the people to stand strong and continue supporting the government’s endeavors for the betterment of Punjab.
In his address, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal commended Chief Minister Mann for his pro-people initiatives in the past 18 months. Kejriwal highlighted that none of the previous governments had allocated such a substantial amount, Rs 1,125 crore, for the holistic development of Bathinda. He outlined the planned utilization of funds, including establishing state-of-the-art schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities for the residents.
As a poignant moment during the rally, both Mann and Kejriwal presented a cheque of Rs 1 crore as financial assistance to the family of Amrik Singh, a brave soldier who had sacrificed his life while serving in the Army. This gesture underscored the leaders’ commitment to honoring the sacrifices made by the armed forces and their families.
