JALANDHAR-Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Saturday directly engaged with traders, shopkeepers and business owners during a meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission (PSTC) in Jalandhar, reaffirming the Bhagwant Mann Government’s commitment to resolving their concerns through dialogue and responsive governance. Highlighting small traders as the backbone of the economy, the AAP Supremo said that while previous governments ignored their issues and subjected them to harassment and extortion, the Bhagwant Mann Government has ended such practices and established the PSTC to ensure that even the smallest problems faced by the trading community are addressed promptly and effectively.
Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has broken free from decades of exploitation and misgovernance, ushering in an era of transparent, development-driven governance focused on public welfare. He said that unlike previous governments, the AAP Government has the confidence to directly seek feedback from people after four years in office, while its work on irrigation, employment, public services and infrastructure has transformed lives across Punjab.
Addressing a massive gathering, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, "The Bhagwant Mann government has completed four years in office. After working for four years, I do not recall any government in Punjab’s history that could sit face to face with people and hold such discussions. Earlier, Congress, BJP governments and Akali Dal governments came. After four years in office, when they went among the people, villagers would not even allow them to enter. People would stand with shoes in their hands to beat them. Today, when we go among the people, they smile at us, praise us, and are ready to embrace us. They appreciate our work."
Referring to a recent roadshow, he shared, "Yesterday we were in Bathinda. We were holding a roadshow after securing excellent Municipal Corporation results and forming the Mayor. As we passed through the streets, people came out of their shops to welcome us. Their body language showed how happy they were to see Bhagwant Mann and all of us. They were genuinely happy. I am seeing the same reaction here today. The way all of you are praising the government and appreciating its work, something extraordinary seems to be happening in Punjab’s history. For the first time, a government has completed four years and people still like that government and want it back again."
He added, "However, extortion has now started at a bigger level. There are four parties in Punjab. One is the ‘Chitta Party.’ You understand which party spread drugs into every household of Punjab. The same party is also called the ‘Beadbi Party’ because numerous incidents of 'beadbi' (sacrilege) took place during its rule."
"There is another party, the ED Party. This is the party that is misusing the Enforcement Directorate to extort money from traders. Then there is the ‘Jhagda Party’, whose leaders are always fighting among themselves. They are still fighting today and they are not going to do anything for you. The fourth party is the Aam Aadmi Party, your party, ‘janta ki party’, which is working for you, ” the AAP Chief laid out.
He added, "One by one, gangsters are being eliminated from Punjab. I am not saying all of them are gone, but most have either been eliminated or have fled. For the first time in Punjab’s history, seven gangsters have been deported from seven different countries and brought back to Punjab. Never before has this happened. For the first time, gangsters operating abroad were brought back through coordination with foreign governments and made to face punishment here."
Referring to notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Arvind Kejriwal said, "One gangster still remains, Lawrence Bishnoi. He is sitting in Sabarmati Jail. He is the son-in-law of the ED Party and enjoys its protection. He has created immense trouble. The Union Home Ministry has issued orders that nobody can take him out of that jail. Sitting there, he continues to run his entire network throughout the world. If any crime linked to him occurs in Punjab, Punjab Police cannot bring him here. Investigators have to go to Sabarmati Jail to question him. He is being protected from all sides and provided every facility. Whatever remains of gangster rule in Punjab today is the contribution of the ED Party."
Speaking about drugs, the AAP Supremo stated, "Who started the drug menace in Punjab? When the ED Party and the Chitta Party were running a coalition government in Punjab, drugs entered every household. Their ministers used to transport drugs in their vehicles and distribute them. Today, strong action is being taken against addicts, drug peddlers, and major traffickers. Their properties are being demolished. Since yesterday, Punjab Police has also started action against ‘hawala’ operators who help send drug money abroad."
Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has witnessed a historic shift in governance, where elected representatives are directly engaging with people and seeking feedback after completing four years in office, something no previous government ever dared to do. “While governments traditionally retreat into official chambers after years in power, the overwhelming affection and appreciation being received from people across Punjab has further strengthened the resolve of the AAP Government to work tirelessly for public welfare, ” he added.
Describing traders as the backbone of Punjab’s economy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said successive governments ignored their concerns and treated them merely as a source of revenue and political funding. “For decades, small traders and shopkeepers were neglected because nobody bothered about their genuine issues. The Punjab State Traders Commission has been constituted to create a congenial environment for business and ensure that every legitimate concern of the trading community is addressed promptly, ” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said previous rulers remained deeply entrenched in private businesses and promoted their personal commercial interests at the cost of Punjab’s development. “Those who controlled private transport networks systematically weakened state-owned bus services. Likewise, those who owned private educational institutions neglected government schools. Their governance model was driven by personal profit rather than public welfare, ” he stated.
Referring to the drug menace, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said traditional political parties inflicted immense damage on Punjab’s youth and people know who was responsible for destroying the lives of thousands of young Punjabis through the drug trade. He said that if these parties return to power, they will once again misuse authority to exploit Punjab and its people.
Reiterating that the AAP Government believes in the politics of development, welfare and performance rather than division and hatred, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab’s soil is fertile enough to nurture prosperity, progress and brotherhood. “The only thing that cannot grow here is hatred. Therefore, the BJP should not live in a fool’s paradise by assuming it can divide Punjabis on communal lines. The people of Punjab have always rejected divisive politics and will continue to uphold the state’s glorious traditions of harmony and unity, ” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has entered a new era where governance is being measured through performance, transparency and service delivery rather than empty slogans and political theatrics. “People of Punjab have seen the difference. They know who worked for the state and who worked for themselves. The Punjab Government will continue to serve every section of society with honesty, dedication and accountability, ” he said while seeking wholehearted support and cooperation from people to make Punjab a frontrunner state in the country.
Senior AAP leader and AAP Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema and Mohinder Bhagat, along with other dignitaries, were also present on the occasion.