In his first visit to Punjab since the drubbing in Assembly polls two months ago, AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said the party will ensure justice with its role of opposition in the state.
"AAP has been formed with an aim to cleanse the corrupt administrative and political system and we will be continue our fight selflessly with a sole aim of public welfare," he told the volunteers here.
Kejriwal said though the results of Punjab Assembly elections were "not up to the expectations" but still people of the state have chosen the AAP to represent them as major opposition party.
"And AAP will ensure complete justice with this role," he said.
He also said the restructuring of the party in Punjab is in the process and it will be completed very soon.
"In the new structure, booth in-charges will be in most powerful position as they are people who interact with the people on daily basis and eventually play a major role in garnering votes for party candidates," he said.
Earlier, he along with state leadership of the party paid obeisance at the Golden Temple on martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev.
While stating that volunteers are the "backbone of AAP" and their works should be done on priority by the party MLAs, he also appealed to them to refer "genuine" cases to legislators that actually need support.
Taking a jibe at Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Kejriwal said the Congress had promised jobs and free smart phones for the youths in its manifesto but has not delivered.
While the Congress government promised 100 per cent debt waiver for farmers, now it has taken a 'U-turn' from this statement also, Kejriwal alleged.
In such circumstances, when the Congress government is unable to stand by its promises, it is imperative that Singh seeks public apology or face state-wide stir by Aam Aadmi Party, he said.
Notably, the visit of Kejriwal assumes significance as party has been trying to act together to play a role of strong opposition in Punjab since its poll debacle in 2017 assembly polls.
The Kejriwal-led party had won 20 out of 117 seats in the Assembly polls. The Congress had registered a thumping win securing 77 seats, while SAD-BJP managed to win 18 seats.
Bhagwant Mann, the state unit president of AAP, said the people of Punjab have chosen 20 MLAs of the party to represent them in the Vidhan Sabha.
"It is a matter of appreciation and AAP will certainly perform its duty of watchdog as main opposition party with utmost sincerity," he said.
He said it is a matter of pride that an unemployed lineman who faced the government ire for 10 years now sits ahead of the chairs allotted to Badals.
Mann said the party is going through a phase of transformation and a refined structure of the party will soon be introduced in the state.
The Sangrur MP said he will not hesitate to approach the disgruntled volunteers of AAP and anybody is free to approach him anytime for the welfare of the party.
Leader of Opposition H S Phoolka said the team of MLAs are performing their duties with honesty and will not let the Congress government to divert its stand from the promises made during the elections.
Phoolka said AAP leadership has the will to work at grassroots level which is clear from the fact that 88 per cent students of government schools in Delhi have passed CBSE board class XII exams as compared to 79 per cent of private schools.
AAP MLA Sukhpal Khaira said the deadline given by the party to the chief minister for taking action against Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh has ended and the party would gehrao the CM residence tomorrow to ensure justice.
Earlier in the day when Kejriwal was entering the city, he was greeted with black flags by group of Congress activists at Amritsar bypass in protest against the AAP.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
