AAP promises revival of sick units

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 23

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in its 21-point manifesto for the industry released today, promised to revive sick units and make trade, industry and transport sectors corruption-free.

The manifesto promises to depoliticise the transport sector, dismantle the liquor mafia and end the inspector raj and “goonda tax” in the state.

The party said an SIT would be formed to probe the collection of “goonda tax” by influential political leaders.

AAP national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, while releasing the manifesto, said the government’s “surgical strikes” (income tax raids) on small traders and businessmen should stop.

Kejriwal said AAP in Delhi formulated policies concerning industry and other sectors after holding discussions with all stakeholders.

Talking to the media, Kejriwal alleged that the Akali Dal-BJP and the Congress had struck a deal to stop the march of AAP in Punjab.

Punjab Dialogue ommittee chairperson Kanwar Sandhu said the manifesto was aimed at the revival of various sectors of the industry, while ending “goonda tax”, “inspector raj” and corruption which were impeding the growth of the industry.

Senior party leaders Sanjay Singh, Jarnail Singh, HS Phoolka, Bhagwant Mann and Gurpreet Waraich were present.

Former Congress leader Jagmeet Brar called Kejriwal the “messiah of 21st-century Indian politics”. He said Kejriwal was the first leader after Mahatma Gandhi and Ram Manohar Lohia to challenge communal politics.