Punjab govt not allowing Kejriwal to hold press meet: AAP; Amarinder Singh denies charge

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28

The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday accused the Congress-led government in Punjab of denying its national convener Arvind Kejriwal permission to hold a press conference in Chandigarh, a charge denied by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Kejriwal is to visit Chandigarh on Tuesday to make an announcement about providing “free electricity” if his party comes to power in Punjab following the 2022 assembly elections.

The AAP has planned to hold the press conference at Punjab Bhawan here.

Dismissing the accusation, Singh asked why would the state government stop Kejriwal from holding a press conference when he was allowed to hold a party programme a few days back.

The Punjab chief minister was apparently referring to Kejriwal’s June 21 visit to Amritsar for inducting former Punjab Inspector General of Police Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh into AAP.

“Totally not true. We let Arvind Kejriwal address a rally here just a few days back. So why should we stop him now from holding a press conference? If he wants I’d be happy to arrange his lunch too. Aam Aadmi Party just wants to do drama even if it means lying: Amarinder Singh,” read a tweet by the Punjab chief minister’s media advisor.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be coming to Chandigarh on Tuesday to give a blueprint of what his party thinks of offering to Punjab. 

ਇੰਨੀ ਮਹਿੰਗਾਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਕ ਮਹਿਲਾ ਲਈ ਆਪਣਾ ਘਰ ਚਲਾਉਣਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ

ਦਿੱਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਅਸੀਂ ਹਰ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ 200 ਯੂਨਿਟ ਬਿਜਲੀ ਮੁਫ਼ਤ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਾਂ। ਮਹਿਲਾਵਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹਨ

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਮਹਿਲਾਵਾਂ ਵੀ ਮਹਿੰਗਾਈ ਤੋਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੁਖੀ ਹਨ। ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ AAP ਦੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਮੁਫ਼ਤ ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦੇਵੇਗੀ

ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਵਿਖੇ ਮਿਲਦੇ ਹਾਂ

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 28, 2021

Initially, the party had decided to hold a press conference at Punjab Bhavan here.

Digvijay Dhanju, media coordinator of the party said that initially their party leaders were told by the staff at Punjab Bhawan that the press conference could be held at Punjab Bhawan, but now, they have been denied the permission.

“We are looking for an alternate venue,” he said.

Harpal Cheema, Leader of Opposition, confirmed this and said that they are looking for an alternate venue.

Later, media advisor to CM, Raveen Thukral denied that permission had been denied for Kejriwal’s press conference.

In a tweet, he said that the government had allowed Kejriwal to hold a rally in Punjab just a few days back. “Why should we deny him permission now?” he tweeted.

‘Totally not true. We let @ArvindKejriwal address a rally here just few days back so why should we stop him now having a press conference? If he wants I’d be happy to arrange his lunch too. @AamAadmiParty just wants to do drama even if it means lying.’: @capt_amarinder

— Raveen Thukral (@RT_MediaAdvPBCM) June 28, 2021

Kejriwal is likely to promise free 200 units of power for every household in Punjab, as is being done in Delhi.

It may be mentioned that Congress high command has been pressing upon Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, to ensure free 200 units of power for every household in the state.

Some meetings of the officials in the power department have been held to discuss the financial implications of the same, and reservations have been expressed on taking such a decision as the financial burden of this decision would be close to Rs 6,000 crore.

Kejriwal is likely to promise free 200 units of power for every household in Punjab, as is being done in Delhi.

It may be mentioned that Congress high command has been pressing upon Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, to ensure free 200 units of power for every household in the state.

Some meetings of the officials in the power department have been held to discuss the financial implications of the same, and reservations have been expressed on taking such a decision as the financial burden of this decision would be close to Rs 6,000 crore.

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