AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said NRI Punjabis were campaigning for the party in the upcoming state Assembly elections, and that terming them as "radical elements" by the Badals was uncalled for.
The AAP chief was in the city to hold a road show in favour of party candidates for the state polls beginning next month.
He said Punjabis residing abroad were concerned about the future of Punjab.
"Punjabi NRIs are landing in the state to campaign in favour of Aam Aadmi Party voluntarily because they feel that both Akalis and Congress leaders have been looting Punjab since decades without any concern for the state.
"Only Aam Aadmi Party can bring debt-ridden state back on track," he said.
Kejriwal was reacting to the ruling party's allegations that AAP was "hobnobbing with radical elements".
He said the Punjabi NRIs were hardworking and sincere who have earned name and fame abroad by working day and night, while the actual "radicals" were those who have ruined Punjab by patronising drug mafia, land mafia, sand mafia, cable mafia and transport mafia.
"Badals have amassed huge wealth by looting Punjabis while businessmen, traders and farmers are running into losses," he said.
Businessmen are migrating to other states while farmers are constrained to commit suicides, the AAP leader added.
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Meanwhile, Kejriwal had yesterday met self-styled 'Panj Pyaras' (five beloved of the Guru) to seek their "blessings cum support".
"It was a great humbling experience to meet the Panj Pyaras. They are always concerned about the welfare of the entire mankind of all faiths and religions," he said after the meeting.
Kejriwal said it gave him immense peace of mind while being in the company of the Panj Pyaras.
"I sought blessings of the Panj Pyaras to accomplish our mission and ongoing crusade against the corruption. I am highly impressed with their humbleness," he said.
