A large number of NRI's from Punjab will campaign in favour of AAP in the upcoming assembly elections to make the state "drug free", party's senior leader Sanjay Singh said here today.
Under party's 'Chalo Punjab' campaign, NRIs will participate in a rally on February 2 in Majitha assembly constituency represented by Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia whom the party has accused of being involved in drug trade.
"To save Punjab, to make Punjab drug free, mafia free and resolve farmers issues, NRI's who have been living abroad have pledged their support to AAP in coming assembly polls," Singh told reporters.
Also Read
A planeload of NRI's supporting AAP from Toronto has landed at Delhi international airport and more NRIs from other countries including the US, the UK, New Zealand, Belgium, Norway, Thailand among others are expected to come to Punjab for campaigning, he said.
AAP's overseas wing, youth convener Joban Randhawa who floated 'Chalo Punjab' campaign, said, "we are expecting 35,000 NRIs to come to Punjab for campaigning for AAP before polls. About 3,500 to 4,000 NRIs have already reached Punjab".
AAP, whose overseas unit remained in touch with NRIs through mobile app 'Chalo Punjab', has decided to form five teams of good speakers who will be sent to Doaba and Majha region for campaigning, Randhawa said.
"NRIs will also be discussing the mis-governance under current regime and how new systems which are bring followed in their respective countries can be implemented in the state to effectively run Punjab," said 32-year-old NRI Surinder Mavi who also came in the flight from Toronto.
Randhawa said a road show by NRIs will be organised on January 24 in Majitha assembly constituency in favour of AAP.
To raise drug issues, a large rally will be held at Majitha in Amritsar on February 2 when the poll campaign ends, he said.
Party is locked in a keen electoral contest on Majitha seat with AAP fielding Himmat Singh Shergill against Akali candidate Bikram Majithia.
Asked to comment on the allegations of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal that AAP was being funded by foreign-based terror groups, Singh rubbished the charges and said NRIs like doctors, engineers and others have pledged their support to AAP.
(Reopens NRG 7)
Sanjay Singh claimed that AAP would win over 100 seats and both Badals -- father and son -- would be defeated from Lambi and Jalalabad constituencies respectively with huge margins.
He accused Congress leader Amarinder Singh of befooling people of Punjab by deciding to contest from Lambi.
"If Capt Amarinder is so confident to defeat Badal, why he is contesting from two seats. Let him choose only Lambi", Singh said.
AAP's Kharar candidate Kanwar Sandhu said remarks of Sukhbir were below dignity and signs of frustration in SAD.
He said NRIs, who have achieved their goals due to best governance practices and hard work, wish to see people of Punjab as prosperous as they are in foreign countries.
Kanwar Sandhu said people would give befitting reply to Badal family for humiliating the NRI community.
Surinder Mavi, Convener of 'Chalo Punjab' campaign in Toronto said NRIs had came to Punjab to ensure defeat of SAD-BJP alliance and Congress and alleged that Congress was not an alternative but a substitute of the present corrupt regime of Badal family.
"We understand people of Punjab crave for responsive and corruption-free government. We have seen in Canada how a good government can change the lives of people. Presently there is no democracy and rule of law in Punjab. Only one family of Badals is ruling and common people are suffering," he alleged.
