Dipender Manta
Mandi, April 6
Making its intentions clear of making inroads into Himachal, the AAP virtually kick-started its election campaign with a roadshow of its two Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann.
“We do not know how to do politics but we certainly know how to open schools and wipe off corruption,” said Kejriwal in his trademark style. He said AAP has undertaken development in Delhi and will do the same now in Punjab.
“You have given 30 years to Congress and 17 years to BJP to rule the State, all they did was loot Himachal. Just give me five years. If you are not satisfied, you can change us,” he urged the cheering crowd while addressing them from an open jeep.
Accusing BJP and Congress of promoting dynastic politics, he said AAP is a party of the common man with development being the sole objective.
“Ki haal hain Mandi waleyon? (How are you, Mandi people) I have performed several times here during Shivratri festival,” said Bhagwant Mann to the gathering. Slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai, Inquilab Zindabad and Jo Bole So Nihaal, rent the air.
Kejriwal said he will bring the same development in Himachal and Punjab as in Delhi.
“Thank you for the grand welcome. Today, the whole town is soaked in the patriotic fervor. ‘Bus ek mauka de do’ (Just give us one chance),” he said to the crowd.
The roadshow with the song ‘Mera Rang de Basanti Chola,’ took place from Victoria Bridge to Seri Manch, where a public meeting was held. The rally termed as ‘Tiranga Yatra’, marked the entry of AAP on the state’s political spectrum with supporters waiving the tricolor.
Even though, no big face from the BJP or Congress joined the AAP on the occasion but the gathering on the home turf of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur here was impressive, indicating people’s fascination with Kejriwal and his Delhi development model.
Despite the two CM’s arrival over an hour late than the scheduled time, party workers and the public waited in the scorching heat to listen to the Delhi CM.
AAP has already made its intentions clear of contesting the polls in Himachal, due later this year by fielding candidates from all the 68 assembly segments.
The past experiment of the AAP of providing an alternate to the Congress and the BJP had failed miserably in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when three of its four candidates had forfeited their security deposit.
The party did not take part in the 2017 Assembly polls but wants to make a beginning by trying its luck in the Shimla Municipal Corporation elections, due in May-June later this year.
15:15 06 Apr
Kejriwal urged the people of Himachal to support AAP in the upcoming state Assembly elections and ensures development of the state along with eradication of corruption.
Overwhelmed with the strength of people at Seri Manch, which was packed to its capacity, Kejriwal said that he was hopeful that the people of Himachal would give a chance to the AAP to form government in the state.
15:08 06 Apr
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has said that they believe in ensuring development.
Addressing the roadshow, Kejriwal said that in Delhi, the AAP government has eradicated corruption completely.
He also added that since forming government in Punjab, they have wiped out corruption within 20 days.
Now, no single official dares to demand bribe from common man for their office related works in Punjab, says the CM.
Now, it is the turn of Himachal Pradesh, where AAP government will wipe out the corruption completely after coming to power, says Kejriwal.
‘We know how to improve educational infrastructure, health institutions and other development works,’ says the Delhi CM.
15:00 06 Apr
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann lambasts Congress and BJP by saying that these parties promoted corruption.
Mann accuses Congress and BJP of promoting family politics. AAP promotes common man in politics to end corruption and ensure development of people, says Mann.
14:59 06 Apr
Seri Manch, the venue of AAP rally, is packed to its capacity as public gathers in numbers to hear the address of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal.
14:39 06 Apr
Over 5,000 people are present in this roadshow
14:14 06 Apr
Kejriwal says give our party one chance and we will show you what development means
14:07 06 Apr
Kejriwal begins AAP roadshow in Mandi
MEGA ROADSHOW in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh | @ArvindKejriwal | @BhagwantMann | LIVE #HimachalMaangeKejriwal https://t.co/Zoz81TRsIY
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 6, 2022
14:04 06 Apr
14:04 06 Apr
13:57 06 Apr
Around 25 activists of Hindu Jagran Manch and Dev Sena of Himachal detained by police for protesting against Arvind Kejriwal. They were removed from helipad site just few hours before the arrival of Kejriwal. Two days ago, the Hindu Jagran Manch and Dev Sena had threatened to oppose the road show over Kejriwal’s statement on Kashmir files
13:15 06 Apr
Supporters gather for AAP's 'Mission Himachal'
Crowd gearing up for AAP Chief @ArvindKejriwal & Punjab CM @BhagwantMann's Tiranga Yatra 🇮🇳#HimachalMaangeKejriwal pic.twitter.com/r8aCEDbKjk
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 6, 2022
11:56 06 Apr
Supporters of AAP start gathering at Victoria bridge in Mandi
10:28 06 Apr
Mandi town has become abuzz with political activity as supporters of AAP have started gathering in Mandi town. National convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal would lead the road show from Victoria bridge up to Seri manch in Mandi town at 12 pm.
09:34 06 Apr
Mandi is the home district of Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) through the roadshow is looking to project itself as a major contended for the state Assembly polls, which are scheduled to be held later this year.
08:15 06 Apr
Arvind Kejriwal roadshow likley to being by noon
07:23 06 Apr
BJP has a strategy in place to counter AAP’s expansion bid in HP. Party president Nadda’s roadshow in Shimla on April 9, block-level rallies to mark party’s foundation day on Wednesday
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