News Analysis India

Tag: Punjab Elections 2022

  • Power tariff slashed by Rs 3 per unit in Punjab months ahead of assembly elections

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Cabinet on Monday decided to slash power tariff by Rs 3 per unit for domestic consumers, a move which comes just months ahead of the Assembly polls and will put a burden of Rs 3,316 crore per year on the exchequer.

    The announcement was made by Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi after the Cabinet meeting.

    “We are reducing power tariff by Rs 3 per unit for domestic consumers,” said Channi addressing the media here.

    It is a “big Diwali gift” for people, he said, adding that the decision will come into effect immediately.

    He said according to a survey conducted by his government, people wanted quality and cheap power.

    Punjab is going to the Assembly polls early next year.

    [Live] Announcing a Historic Decision for the Welfare, Progress and Prosperity for the People of Punjab, during a Press Conference at Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh. https://t.co/vBmNaN5P6I
    — Charanjit S Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) November 1, 2021

  • ‘Trade sector will gain if AAP wins in Punjab’: Kejriwal ahead of polls

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal lashing out at the rampant corruption, crime and mafia rule in Punjab, announced that if the party is voted to power in the state in the upcoming assembly elections, the state will be freed from criminals, goons, corruption and inspector raj. 

    The AAP government will be responsible for the safety of every trader and businessmen.

    While addressing the ‘Vyapariyan te Karobariyan nal Kejriwal di galbaat’ programme, Kejriwal made two big announcements for businessmen as he said that after the formation of the AAP government,  the responsibility for the security of every trader would be the government’s. Stop being afraid and start planning for business and industry development now, he said.

    He also announced that like Delhi, they will give an honest government in Punjab as well. Kejriwal appealed to the people of Punjab, “Punjab has given a lot of opportunities to the Congress, Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government in the state, now give the Aam Aadmi Party a chance.”

    Kejriwal sought the cooperation of the traders and businessmen and appealed to the entire business community to become partners. He said that like other parties, we don’t take money from the traders but seek cooperation and share in the government. 

    Kejriwal promised to eradicate crime, corruption and inspector raj in Punjab. He said that in Punjab there was a need for business to flourish so that youth could get employment.

    Therefore a safe environment free from crime and corruption would be created in Punjab. Kejriwal questioned the traders, “What is the ‘jojo’ tax? Why don’t the police take action against the goons?”

    Criticizing the Congress government, Kejriwal said it was easy to imitate the people, but difficult to implement; because CM Charanjit Singh, after seeing the AAP government’s works, announced the abolition of inspector raj, participation of traders and provision of facilities to industries, but did not implement them.

    He alleged that the state government had neither good intentions nor a good policy. Due to this about 2,700 hotels were closed and thousands of industries moved out of Punjab.

    At the paprty’s event, AAP Punjab president and MP Bhagwant Mann said, “The established governments in the country consider traders, arhtiyas and industrialists as thieves, while they are the ones who pay the highest taxes.” 

  • ‘Nawan Punjab BJP De Naal’: Saffron party to contest all seats, ready for tie-up

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH:  The BJP will contest all 117 seats in Punjab in assembly elections for which as the party has given a new slogan – ‘Nawan Punjab BJP De Naal’ (A new Punjab with BJP). The party is open to seat sharing if Amarinder Singh floats his new outfit. 

    The party has repeated its stand that it is ready to have a dialogue with the protesting farmers as it claims that they have been “misguided for vested political interests”.

    The BJP’s Punjab in-charge and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday sought to clear his stand on the question of alliance with Amarinder.

    “As of now Amarinder has said he is ready for seat sharing, so let him respond. My party’s parliamentary board will decide on it,” Shekhawat said.

    “We will welcome all those who accept our ideology,” he said, claiming the party will form the next government in the state.

    He said the Congress state unit was a divided house and that in the last six months,over 5,000 people from other parties have joined the BJP in Punjab. Shekhawat said the BJP will give due political recognition to all segments in the state. He accused the other parties of lacking any vision for the prosperity of the state. “The voters will reject them.”

    On the farmers’ agitation, he said the government put the new agricultural laws on hold for 18 months.

    “Even now we are ready for talks as our intentions to address the issue can never be doubted. Our doors are always open,” he said.

    On expanding the BSF jurisdiction, Shekhawat said national security was beyond compromise.

    The incidents of drug smuggling and drones carrying weapons had increased manifold. Amarinder had raised the issue a number of times with Home Minister Amit Shah. 

    “The special assembly session called on November 8 by CM Charanjit Singh Channi on the BSF jurisdiction is a ploy to divert the attention of the public from key issues,” he said.

  • Punjab polls: Kejriwal promises to end ‘inspector raj’, red-tapism; redress industry’s grievances

    By PTI

    JALANDHAR: AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday promised end of “inspector raj” and “red-tapism plaguing the trade and industrial sector” if his party is voted to power in the 2022 Punjab assembly polls.

    Kejriwal, who is on a two-day visit to Punjab, also promised the formation of a trade and industry body and its decisions will have to be implemented by the state government.

    He stated this while addressing traders and industrialists of Jalandhar after hearing their grievances.

    Addressing the gathering, the Delhi chief minister assured the trade and industry sector to resolve their grievances and take steps to boost their businesses.

    He also assured to provide round-the-clock power to the sector and gave an example of his government in the national capital on ensuring 24-hour electricity there.

    “In Punjab, we will ensure 24-hour electricity. We know how to do it,” Kejriwal claimed.

    He also asserted that “inspector raj and red-tapism” will be ended in the state as he blamed the previous governments for “promoting” the same for corruption.

    To prove his point, the AAP leader said his government in Delhi had stopped “raid raj” and reduced VAT rate that led to doubling of tax revenue at Rs 60,000 crore.

    It happened because the government trusted the traders, he said.

    He also promised to end “hafta system and goonda tax” in the state.

    Kejriwal further assured the businessmen to disburse their pending value added tax refunds, saying he received similar complaints from traders of Ludhiana.

    He also promised to clear the pending VAT refunds within three to six months as he underlined that capital is essential for running a trade or business.

    The Delhi CM promised to improve infrastructure in focal points and industrial zones in Punjab to facilitate the industry if voted to power in the state.

    Replying to another issue raised by the traders, he said the industrialists pointed out to him that former CMs Parkash Singh Badal and Captain Amarinder Singh had promised to resolve it after elections.

    “My request (to you) is once ask Kejriwal — ‘Ek mauka saanu vi’ (Give us a chance too). I assure you that you will forget others,” Kejriwal said as he urged people to chose his party over others in the next state polls.

    He also laid stress on promoting small traders and micro, small and medium enterprises, saying these sectors generate more employment.

  • Punjab Congress row: There’s resentment in MLAs against CM Amarinder, says Pargat Singh

    By ANI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Pargat Singh on Wednesday said there is resentment in MLAs against Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

    Briefing media persons, Singh said, “Due to the non-settlement of issues, there is resentment in MLAs. I suggest the Congress high command under the supervision of AICC observer, the chief minister should call a meeting of all MLAs and decide after discussing with them.”

    Asked about meeting the party high command in Delhi, the Congress MLA said, “Definitely, some people have gone to Delhi and I will also go there. There is no problem with it. We should not divert the issues. Captain Amarinder Singh is our chief minister and we do not disagree with it but work has to be done.”

    Meanwhile, AICC in-charge of Punjab Harish Rawat on Wednesday said that the party had an idea of turning up of possible issues after the organisation changes in the state unit. However, he said that Congress will look into the matter and find a solution.

    Speaking to ANI, Rawat said, “This thing happens in the party. When we brought in changes in the PCC, we had an idea about possible issues that may turn up. We will find a solution. Everyone trusts Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. But suddenly what has happened, why a large number of MLAs are disappointed. We will look into the matter and try to resolve it.”

    Rawat also held a meeting with a delegation of Punjab Congress leaders including ministers and MLAs is underway at his residence in Dehradun to discuss the alleged “incompetency” of Amarinder Singh in tackling various issues in Punjab.

    A section of Punjab Congress leaders expressed their resentment over Amarinder Singh to party high command. They demanded the removal of him as chief minister citing his working style is harming the party and the state. 

  • Manish Tewari slams Sidhu, claims no problem in Punjab unit

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Former Union Minister and Congress MP Manish Tewari took on Congress MP Navjot Singh Sidhu amid the ongoing Punjab Congress crisis and repeated barbs against the state government on Twitter by Sidhu.

    Speaking to ANI, Tewari said, “there is no problem in the state, there are some issues due to the stepmotherly treatment of the Central Government. However, if someone wants to take on his personal agenda through Twitter or any other medium then the leaders at the AICC should take it seriously”.

    Navjot Singh Sidhu has been continuously taking on Captain Amarinder Singh’s government in Punjab on the power issue in the state, but Tewari has backed Captain.

    Tewari said that since 1966, when Punjab came into existence as a state and till 2017, no party has got 77 assembly seats out of 117 strength of Punjab Legislative Assembly.

    And the Congress has won 3 Assembly by-polls, 8 Lok Sabha seats out of 13 seats in Punjab, he pointed out.

    “Congress has also secured victory in more than 90 per cent of the local bodies. If you ask any MP whom they had called for their campaign, they would say that the Captain. The Punjab government is doing well but only a few people have their own agenda,” added Tewari.

    The reaction of the Congress MP came amid the internal fighting in the state unit. Punjab Chief Minister had met Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi in Delhi and had assured he would follow the decision that she would take.

    According to sources, the Punjab Congress crisis would end soon but what would be the role of Navjot Singh Sidhu is still a suspense.

    The state is due for assembly polls early next year. 

  • Punjab Assembly Polls 2022: AAP banks on ‘free power’ for victory

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: With the assembly elections in Punjab a few months away, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday promised to provide 300 units of free electricity to every household in the state with round-the-clock power supply if his party comes to power in the state next year.

    In Delhi, the AAP government provides 200 units of free power per month. Kejriwal promised that the decision will be passed in the first cabinet meeting of the AAP government in Punjab. 

    “When we fought the assembly elections for the first time in Delhi in 2013, people used to get absurd electricity bills. The government was colluding with electricity companies, just like Punjab. Today, there’s 24*7 electricity supply in Delhi at a very low rate. We have to do this in Punjab also,” he said.

    Kejriwal said that 80 per cent of families will benefit from the decision as they will have to pay zero bills. Kewjriwal also announced to waive off pending domestic electricity bills and work towards providing uninterrupted supply in the state. 

    “It will take three years for us to upgrade the infrastructure and then we will be able to provide uninterrupted power supply,” he said.

    Kejriwal said that all the existing beneficiary categories which were getting 200 free units like SCs, BCs, BPL families, freedom fighters etc, will now get 300 free units.

    “Despite being a power surplus state, the electricity tariffs in Punjab are the highest in India,” he said, adding that it is because there was a nexus between the private power plants and those in power who from time to time had looted the people of Punjab.

    AAP state president Bhagwant Mann said that the biggest pain for the people of Punjab today was expensive electricity, for which the AAP had been raising its voice. Reacting to the announcements, the SAD hiromani Akali Dal claimed that far from giving any relief to the common man through subsidised power, the AAP would even do away with the 200 unit per month free power provided to the poor including SCs and backward classes. Punjab BJP President Ashwani Sharma said that Kejriwal is misguiding the people of Punjab as he has been unable to fulfil the promises made to the people of Delhi.

  • Kishor and team likely to camp in Punjab from May for polls next year

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH:  Almost a year ahead of the assembly polls in Punjab, election strategist Prashant Kishor, who was appointed principal advisor to CM Amarinder Singh, is likely to stay in the state from May with his team. 

    Kishor and his team will take feedback from the general public about the performance of the government and is likely to prepare a report card of the last five years of the ruling party MLAs. 

    Amarinder SinghSources said a few days ago, Kishor met first-time MLAs of the ruling Congress and also senior party legislators.

    They reportedly told him that the bureaucracy was running the government. 

    Kishor has reportedly started taking feedback from district-level officers with whom the people are dissatisfied.

    It is believed that the poll strategist would like former cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu to play a vital role. Sidhu has been out of the picture for some time now.

    He recently met Amarinder at his farm house over tea, said sources. Sources said Amarinder has deputed his political secretary Sandeep Singh Sandhu and his grandson Nirvan Singh to coordinate with Kishor, who lives in the bungalow next to the Chief Minister’s residence.

    An IAS officer has also been told to coordinate with the poll strategist. Sources said Kishor’s team is likely to be bigger than the 2017 team, in which about 250 persons worked for him.  

  • AAP totally faceless in Punjab: CM Amarinder Singh

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party is “totally faceless” in the state and its ambition to form the next government is a “pipe dream”.

    He also said that the AAP is an “outsider” in Punjab and will remain so as long as it continues to be disconnected from the state’s ground realities.

    “With just a year to go for the state Assembly polls, the AAP could not find a face from Punjab to campaign in the municipal polls and had to drag in non-entities from Delhi for electioneering! And now they claim they’ll find a chief minister’s face that will be the pride of Punjab?” he said.

    “The AAP’s ambition to rule the state is a ‘pipe-dream’ as the party is totally faceless in Punjab,” the chief minister claimed in a statement here.

    “What can a party, which sold off the farmers’ interests by implementing one of the farm laws in Delhi back in November, know of Punjab’s pride,” Singh asked.

    Far from learning from their mistakes in the past five years, the AAP continues to blunder its way through Punjab, with absolutely no understanding or concern about the problems of its people, he claimed.

    “All they see here is another state to rule, another seat of power. They do not see the pain and the problems of our people,” said Amarinder.

    The exodus of AAP leaders and members from the party’s Punjab unit over the past 2-3 years is just a tip of the iceberg, the fact is that they have no roots here, the chief minister claimed.

    “Arvind Kejriwal’s party has no existence outside Delhi and will soon be wiped out from there too, given their shameless collusion with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at whose behest they have been trying to befool the lakhs of farmers camping outside their city for more than two months now,” he further alleged.

    Punjab neither wants nor needs such a party, said the chief minister, adding that “neither the AAP nor its Delhi model of governance is welcome in Punjab, which is “faring better than the national capital on almost every key index of development”.

    With every passing year, Kejriwal’s government is plunging the national capital lower down into the abyss of devastation, in sharp contrast to Punjab, which has seen an unprecedented growth and development in the past four years, he claimed.

    Even the much-touted health model of the Delhi government, which showed a decline by two positions on the health Index from 2015 to 2019, was completely exposed during the COVID-19 peak crisis, he pointed out, calling upon Kejriwal to focus on managing Delhi instead of “wasting precious time and resources in trying to find a footing (or a face) in Punjab or other states”.

    What Punjab needs is a solid and sincere leadership, not a “party of loud-mouth liars and deceivers”, he added.