AAP’s CM candidate from Punjab: Kejriwal

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Shutrana, January 11

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal, addressing a rally in Badshahpur village in Shutrana constituency of Patiala today, said the party’s chief ministerial candidate would be from Punjab, scotching speculation that he was himself in the race. 

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Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had yesterday triggered a Delhi vs Punjab debate when he urged the people at a rally in Mohali to “vote as if you are voting for Kejriwal as CM”.

Kejriwal said: “It will be my responsibility to ensure that the promises made to the people of Punjab are honoured, irrespective of whosoever becames Chief Minister. Sisodia simply meant that I will be personally monitoring the Punjab affairs to ensure that the party delivers on its promises.  I don’t understand what wrong did he do?”

 Kejriwal said being the Delhi CM, he could not disrespect that mandate, “but you can directly hold me accountable for any lapses in the functioning of AAP, if it comes to power.” Taking a jibe at Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, he said: “I have got to know that he (Sukhbir) woke up thrice last night, shouting Kejriwal aa gaya”.  

Thousands of AAP supporters attended Kejriwal’s rallies in Shutrana, Samana and Nabha in support of the party candidates. A large number of them were women. “We have come to catch a glimpse of our leader. We have decided to put our fate in his hands,” a few of them said.

Claiming that a survey had revealed that Punjab had 40 lakh drug addicts, he said AAP’s first priority would be to eradicate this menace, if voted to power. He said the addicts would be provided treatment and not treated harshly.