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Will ensure a crime, corruption-free govt in Punjab: Arvind Kejriwal
“We will give you an honest government in Punjab like in Delhi. We ended the Inspector Raj and the Raid Raj in Delhi,” said Arvind Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday intensified his pitch for the 2022 Punjab assembly elections, accusing the ruling Congress in Punjab of “patronising corruption”. He also promised to clear the pending VAT refunds of traders and businessmen in three-four months and provide round-the-clock electricity to the industries in the state, if the AAP is voted to power.
“Our goal is to create a prosperous Punjab and lead it towards progress. We will provide a crime-free and corruption-free government,” he said, addressing a gathering of traders and businessmen in Bathinda on the concluding day of his two-day Punjab visit.
Responding to the concerns of some traders about the alleged “goonda tax”, he said the AAP will ensure safety of traders. “After our government comes to power in Punjab, from April 1, 2022, it will be our responsibility to ensure the safety of every businessman,” he said.
“We will give you an honest government in Punjab like in Delhi. We ended the Inspector Raj and the Raid Raj in Delhi.”
“If voted to power, we will ensure prompt clearance of huge arrears of the obsolete VAT (value-added tax). We will ensure transparent governance and safety of businessmen.”
Kejriwal also accused other political parties of thinking about the traders and businessmen “only at the time of polls because they need funds”. “But we do not need money from you. I have come to make you a partner in Punjab’s progress. We will create a conducive atmosphere so that trade and industry flourishes,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress government in Punjab, which recently hosted an investors’ summit, Kejriwal said, “They invite big industrialists and say so much investment has come. But efforts are not made to save the existing industry, which is shifting out to other places.”
Hitting back, Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal said: “Is it the first time he (Kejriwal) has levelled charges of corruption against his political rivals?... It is typical of a coward. How does he get the right to become a certification authority?"
