Punjab govt lacks will, Akalis ruined state: Kejriwal

Ludhiana, Feb 29: "Corruption and wrong policies" have created a "mess" in the industrial sector in Punjab whose SAD-BJP government lacks the will to set things right, Aam Adami Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal said here on Monday, Feb 29.

Addressing a meeting of city industrialists, the Delhi Chief Minister said Punjab has talent, skill and economy but "excessive government corruption", wrong policies, and mismanagement have brought industry to a "mess".

"The Akalis have ruined the state," he said and added his party was committed to rooting out the mess, if voted to power. He said he would visit the state again in May to study the problems of the industry and trade only. Punjab is suffering from 'Goonda Tax' in several areas, including in stone crushing industry, he said, adding his government would set it right within "a few days" if voted to power.

He reiterated the AAP government would check the drug menace and added those being arrested in drug cases were not the mafia or smugglers but the addicts. Kejriwal sought people’s support for making Punjab a "drug and corruption free" and prosperous state.

"If elections are held today in Punjab, AAP will win 100 out of 117 assembly seats but if held as per schedule i.e in 2017, then, with a little more hard work, AAP will be in position to make clean sweep," he said addressing a rally at Chiheru village in Phagwara late last night.

Claiming a wind of change was blowing in Punjab, Kejriwal, who is on a five-day visit to the state, said it would turn into a storm in the coming days and uproot the ruling SAD-BJP and the Congress.

Referring to the daily verbal attacks on his visit both by Badals and Captain Amarinder Singh of Congress, Kejriwal said both the traditional rivals were now worrying less about each other and concentrating more on AAP.

Kejriwal asked, "What is my fault if I visit those in distress. Why do 'Badal walas', 'BJP walas' and 'Congress walas' show black flags and attack me. Why do they find fault with my dress and footwear saying 'ye sandal/chappal pahenta hai, ye shirt pahenta hai, ye who karta hai, ye yeh kehta hai'."

They were doing it all because they were rattled by his visit, Kejriwal said.

PTI