‘Punjab Will Reclaim Its Glory Under AAP Leadership’

Anu Mann, an AAP supporter in Chandigarh, says the party leaders are grounded and have a connect with the people, unlike its erstwhile rulers

At 54 years of age, my generation has grown up with Punjab. I have witnessed Punjab at its peak during the Green Revolution and then at its lowest during the turbulent 80s. Things started looking somewhat bright during the 1990s but by mid-2000s they took a turn for the worse again.

From being the breadbasket of the country, we the Punjabis gradually began losing our identity as a prosperous state to ‘Udta Punjab’. Drug abuse began taking hold in almost every family. Villages after village lost their youth and men to the drug menace with women left behind to pick up the pieces, industries slowed down, corruption rose up, education took a hit, and Punjabis began leaving for greener pastures like Canada.

With Aam Aadmi Party’s electoral sweep, a hope has been rekindled that we have turned the corner. Punjab will reclaim its glory; we shall flourish again.

Personally, I feel liberated. I have travelled and lived around the country, but one always wants to come back to the roots. I used to feel sad at the sheer level of corruption, lack of jobs and good education, the lazy leadership, especially that of Captain Amarinder Singh who never mingled much with people. Sidhu has been and remains a crass leader.

Mann says she has grown up with Punjab and seen both its low point and high point

I had given up all hopes of a good leadership taking root in Punjab until AAP brought in its refreshing governance style. Of course the road for the Bhagwant Mann-led government is going to be long and difficult but given how they have managed Delhi, I have high hopes for Punjab in the coming years. I have myself worked at a summer teaching programme of AAP in Delhi government schools and I was impressed how AAP involves ordinary people in their governance apparatus.

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This election result saw seasoned political personalities humiliated by common, first-time contestants (like mobile shop owner Labh Singh who defeated Channi). I feel the happiest about the victory of Jeevan Jyot Kaur who defeated Majithia and Navjot Sidhu because women’s issues will now get the spotlight. There are 13 doctors who have been elected as MLAs; they will definitely feel the pulse of the people, both literally and metaphorically.

Bhagwant Mann’s passionate involvement, unlike Amarinder Singh’s ivory tower life, in everyday matters of the state is a refreshing change. AAP ke sare candidates dharti se jude hue log hain, samaj se jude hue log hain (AAP leaders have an ear to the ground, they have a connect with the masses).

All in all, the victory of AAP in Punjab is truly the victory of ordinary people. AAP’s campaigning was also totally fuss-free, they neither disturbed nor bribed voters, maybe other parties would do well to learn from them.

Mann in a celebratory mood after AAP victory

I was so happy and excited on the day of election results that I distributed mithais, made a celebratory dance video and sent it to my loved ones. And I couldn’t stop talking to my friends about how happy I was. Mann needs a lot of cooperation from people and I hope the janta will give it to him.

Corruption and Drugs

‘I Will Bet On Arvind Kejriwal To Sweep Punjab Polls’

Baneet Sharma, 37, a French teacher in Nabha (Punjab), says Aam Aadmi Party can rid state of its major problems like corruption and drugs menace

In my 37 years of life I have been keenly observing the political landscape of Punjab. As far as my personal understanding of the state is, based on in-depth creditable media reports, Punjab is facing three main challenges: corruption, drugs menace and falling education standards due to mindless privatisation in the sector.

These issues dominate the ongoing state assembly election campaign. As a teacher, I have witnessed first-hand how a whole crop of engineers and other professionals are being churned out without any proper knowledge of the subject matter. In Punjab there are a lot of these private universities that are appealing on the surface but don’t have the tools, faculty and the setup to teach say a subject like Aeronautical Engineering or even lesser niche subjects. This affects the supply of trained human resources. So, any party that cares about the issues of the youth is a winner for me.

Thus, Mr Arvind Kejriwal is a winner for me, for the AAP Government in Delhi has turned around the quality of government school education. Kejriwal is a highly knowledgeable leader who understands the value of formal education. I will support Bhagwant Mann as the chief minister only because he is backed by Mr Kejriwal. The state has tried Akali Dal-BJP combination as well as Congress in government. Their years in power have done little for the state. I think it is high time we gave a new party the chance.

Sharma (right) feels AAP can bring about the desired change in Punjab politics

In these tough times of pandemic, a party in power must care about the middle class. The poor can avail of free ration and other help while the rich have savings. It is the middle class which suffers the most. I am a teacher and in the last three years have seen various educational institutes either folding down or operating erratically during the many lockdowns.

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How are we supposed to earn a living? How are we supposed to feed our families and take care of their immunity, medical and other needs? We have EMIs to pay, loans to repay and other expenses that keep rising. We need a party that can see through the pain of people. People need stability in uncertain times and politicians should step in.

Captain Amarinder Singh toh Raja Sahab hain. He isn’t here to serve, but to relax. Navjot Singh Sidhu on the other hand is hyperactive. He speaks so much and makes little sense. He treats politics like a cricket pitch. He always wants to hit sixers and the audience applause. Politics goes deeper than that. Congress should understand Sidhu isn’t a great leader.

As far as the political party floated by farmers Sanyukt Samaj Morcha is concerned, I feel it will only act as a vote cutter for the Akali Dal, BJP and Congress. Akali Dal has so far asked for votes on the basis of religious identity and have won, but now the Janata is disappointed in them. Farmers are particularly disappointed in them and their votes will now likely go to AAP.

But at the end, I hope whoever leads the state, serves its people well and takes note of the needs of each class, and all major issues faced by the state.

Assembly Elections in Punjab

‘AAP Will Win Punjab Polls; Farmers Morcha Needs Time’

Rajni Sharma, a school teacher from Hoshiarpur, says with several new players in the field, Assembly elections in Punjab will be an interesting battle to watch

I keep a sharp eye on the changing political landscape, be it at the state level or pan-India. The upcoming Punjab elections seem poised for an interesting battle between candidates. Given the fact that this time a lot of outside parties like AAP, TMC and BSP (in coalition with another party) are in the fray against parties that have deep rooted cadres, it would be interesting to see which way the wind blows.

I’m interested in seeing how former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s party, the Punjab Lok Congress does in these elections. He had promised smartphones to young students during the pandemic but didn’t keep his word, and many youngsters suffered due to lack of means to afford online studies. It is an important factor.

Personally, from Hoshiarpur I would love to see the Congress candidate, Sangat Singh Ji win and represent us. He has been a fabulous representative and is always there for every event where people request his presence, be it social events or other pressing matters. We know how much an able leader makes us feel safe during these times of the pandemic. He did a great job during the starting of the pandemic and even until now, helping provide rations, listening to people’s concerns etc.

At the state level I firmly believe it is AAP that will win and Bhagwant Mann will become the CM. Given his young age and the ground work he has done in the last five years, people seem to have taken a liking for him. He recently talked about how no farmer works in isolation and thus we need to find collective solutions for farming in villages as a whole. I loved this point that he made. I don’t believe that other party will be able to cut votes of AAP to a great level, because frankly people are fed up of the inability of parties like the Shiromani Akali Dal to sort out the drugs issue for good.

Sharma wants Bhagwant Mann to be the next Chief Minister of Punjab

I teach at the Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Nainowal Vaid and I have personally seen how a good leader can change the whole system and put people at ease. Our school chairman ensured that not a single person from any job category lost their jobs during the pandemic although the school was closed for nearly 1.5 years. I expect the same level of efficacy and concern from our top leaders. They should ensure ke kisi ke ghar ka chulha nahi bujhna chahiye…khas kar kisano ka.

ALSO READ: Who Will Win Punjab?

The farmers protest will definitely play a major role in these elections. However, the local farmer unions aren’t supporting the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha party floated by the big farmers unions. I think the party needs to do a lot of groundwork before they can make a space in people’s heart. Where I stay a major portion of the young population lives in foreign countries. All parties have to take other issues into account along with farmers issue and also talk to the youth in their language.

My children as well as other kids in our extended family are all batting for Bhagwant Mann as CM for they feel he is a vocal person and that’s the need of the hour; someone who doesn’t back down when talking about the issues of Punjab. Farmers should definitely contest elections, but I think it will take a few years before the SSM can make a major mark. Just the rolling back of Farm Bills won’t suffice for the population, other issues causing problems to farmers need to be sorted out too. And no matter whether SSM wins elections or not, they should ‘plough’ on about the issues impacting farmers at all levels.