Mohali: In the first meeting after the party assumed power in Punjab, party convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, followed a no-nonsense attitude informing the elected MLAs and ministers to work well or be ready to lose their positions.
Mincing no words, Kejriwal said he will not congratulate those ministers who were sworn in yesterday. "Rather, I will give them best wishes. I pray to God that you will come true to the expectations of people. As Mann Sahib has said, we have wasted 70 years and are short of time. Mann Sahib will give you targets. A day of 24 hours will not be enough. You will have to work 30 hours a day. If you do not meet the targets, then people will say change the minister. Then you will feel bad, but we will have no option but to replace you," he said. The Delhi chief minister was addressing his party's newly-elected legislators of Punjab through video conferencing.
Warning that the party will not tolerate complacency, Bhagwant Mann referred to AAP's strategy in Delhi, where it is using a survey mechanism in areas under different MLAs to decide whether they will be given an election ticket or not. "No one has his seat guaranteed in the Aam Aadmi Party", Mann said, stating that the leaders could secure their spots only "by doing the right thing". Significantly, the duo also nipped in the bud an undercurrent of displeasure, saying not everyone could be inducted as a minister. "I am getting some complaints regarding those who are displeased about not having been made a minister. We have 92 MLAs, not everyone can become a minister. Only 17 will become ministers", Kejriwal said.
"We have not been able to campaign in many places during the election, yet people have shown faith in us," Mann said, noting that it was the job of the party now to take it forward. "It is our duty to go to every village, every mohalla and listen to the problems of the people and solve them", he said. Non-selective, non-partisan development appeared to be one of AAP's strong proving points, as the CM emphasized time and again the need for MLAs to be unbiased in their approach.
Mann cautioned his party MLAs against making any recommendation for any illegitimate work while asking them to work for resolving people's problems. He also asked the Aam Aadmi Party legislators to work hard for turning Punjab into a vibrant state. Cautioning the MLAs against making any illegitimate recommendation, he said, "If you recommend for anybody, it means you are taking away somebody else's right." "No MLA should think 'we have got fewer votes from this village' or 'they are Congress/Akali Dal supporters. We all have to help and work for the entire Punjab", Mann said.
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Kejriwal, on the other hand, requested party workers and leaders not to use objectionable language towards anyone. "There is a need for us to function as a team. With teamwork and leaving behind personal ambitions, we can help Punjab's progress", he stated. Kejriwal party MLAs in Punjab to work with honesty for the welfare of people and function as a team. The AAP convener also lauded Mann for his decisions related to the announcement of 25,000 government jobs and the withdrawal of security of former ministers and ex-MLAs. "In the last three days, Mann sahib, 'tussi kamaal kar ditta' we are really proud of you," said Kejriwal.
