CHANDIGARH-Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday said that the discharge of charges against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, and others in the excise policy case by the court has vindicated the party’s consistent stand that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other central agencies have been reduced to mere puppets in the hands of the Union government to target political rivals.
In a video message, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a historic day in the politics of the country because the court has acquitted Arvind Kejriwal and 23 others who were wrongly booked by the CBI. The case against Arvind Kejriwal and others was a desperate attempt by the Union government to stop the Aam Aadmi Party, which was spreading its wings across the country through its agenda of good work. The order of the court is a testament to the fact that the dark night, however long it is, does end and the triumph of light is there.”
Thanking the people who prayed for Arvind Kejriwal and the party, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The prayers of the common people have done wonders and these honest leaders have been acquitted. The order of the court has put a serious question mark on the working of the CBI, which is acting like a puppet in the hands of its masters. It has exposed the blatant misuse of the central agencies by those in power at the Centre to muzzle the voice of democracy.”
Referring to the political developments in Delhi, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In order to merely win the elections in Delhi, the entire decision-making team of the Aam Aadmi Party was put behind bars by the BJP-led Union government. Today’s decision of the court has proved that Arvind Kejriwal is an honest man who rules the hearts of people because he speaks the truth. Every volunteer of the National Convenor of AAP is in the field of politics just to serve the people, as they were already earning handsome money in their respective fields.”
Taking on traditional political parties, Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The traditional parties are envious of the Aam Aadmi Party because we have set the agenda of the welfare of the common man. Earlier, the Congress and the BJP used to play friendly matches by enjoying power on a rotation basis and securing the interests of each other during their days in power. They used to play musical chairs in power and waited for their turns to plunder the people and the country.”
He further affirmed, “This dirty play was stopped when the Aam Aadmi Party assumed centre stage in the politics of the country, but these parties do not want this to happen. Anyone who raises a voice against corruption and their nasty tantrums faces their wrath and is put behind bars without any reason. The benefactors of corruption, who have deep roots everywhere, target honest people and slap false cases against them.”
Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a move to hijack democracy by creating their own database of votes instead of seeking votes from people. Instead of seeking votes from the masses by folding hands before them, the Union government has devised this strategy where the same voters are used to manipulate the victory of their party in any state. It is fatal for the country, its people and even democracy. The forefathers of the Indian freedom struggle must have been peeved over it.”
Issuing a direct challenge to PMModi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is alright if you want to rule, but for that you should win the hearts of the people by your work and not through such tactics. Instead of improving education, roads, power, health sector, employment and other sectors in the country, the BJP is pursuing its agenda of hate and divisiveness. These democratically elected dictators use dissent and lure among their political rivals to freeze election symbols and then manipulate the polls.”
Continuing his attack, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Every patriot wants the country to be number one and not witness the manipulations in which the Modi-Shah duo is indulging. Every honest countryman objects to the manner in which the country is being run these days. They should stop dividing the country on sectarian lines for their vested political interests, as it is not in the favour of the nation.”
Drawing an analogy, Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “A bouquet has a variety of flowers that fascinate people and they love to see it. The variety of flowers soothes the eyes of everyone and people throng to see them, but if there is only one type of flower it creates monotony. In the same manner, harmonious and peaceful co-existence of every religion in society is important for the progress of the country.”
Praising the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Arvind Kejriwal is a man of action who transformed Delhi with sheer hard work and dedication. When the Aam Aadmi Party government assumed power in Delhi, the annual budget was ₹30, 000 crore, and the last budget under it was ₹66, 000 crore. Every single penny was spent judiciously on providing free power, world-class schools, Mohalla Clinics and other facilities to the people.”
Striking an emotional note, Bhagwant Singh Mann noted, “Arvind Kejriwal cried for the country as its condition is getting worse with every passing day. Such poor treatment of an honest man is not desirable. India today needs only an engine of patriotism to steer it out of the several prevailing maladies. Those in power are promoting double engine or triple engine governments in the country, which are not needed.”