Ludhiana, September 29
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday invited the Punjab industrialists, traders and businessmen to be partners in the Aam Aadmi Party and the future AAP government in Punjab, stating that before the elections politicians come to the businessmen for funds, but today he (Kejriwal) has come to seek the support of the businessmen, traders and industrialists of Punjab. Arvind Kejriwal promised to provide a 24-hour helpline service to the industrialists and businessmen for a permanent relief from the ‘inspector raj’ and best law and order for a peaceful atmosphere. He said that if China and other countries were to be left behind in the industry, trade-friendly decisions would be made by the traders, businessmen and industrialists and the AAP government would implement them.
Kejriwal said the ‘inspector raj’, corruption and goonda tax continues unabated, which will be strictly stopped. He said no politician or official will be able to intimidate businessmen. Making another big announcement, he said that on the lines of the Delhi government, businessmen will not have to go to government offices for their work; the officer-employee of the concerned department will come at door step, at one’s house and the work will be done by sitting at home. Similarly, Kejriwal also announced 24-hour cheap power supply to industries.
Referring to the battle of Mahabharata in his address, Arvind Kejriwal said that before every election all parties come to the industrialists and businessmen for funds, today they have also come; but not to take money, but to support the traders-industrialists. Referring to D.S. Chawla of the bicycle industry, Kejriwal said that Chawla’s dream is for India to overtake China as the world’s number one bicycle manufacturer in the bicycle industry; but the question is, does a single minister of Punjab and Union government have such a dream? So unless a government follows Chawla Sahib’s resolution, India cannot become number one, he added.
Commenting on industrialist Upkar Singh Ahuja’s remarks on Thailand’s Plug and Play Policy under ‘Ease of Business’ for the convenience of industrialists, Arvind Kejriwal said, “I challenge you to ask any minister what ‘plug and play’ is; no one will know. I didn’t know myself. Only you (entrepreneurs) know this.” He said, “The statement by the industrialists that if given a chance, Ludhiana could surpass even the real Manchester (England). This is the confidence and foresight of the businessmen and industrialists, to which the head bows.”
Arvind Kejriwal suggested, “Because industrialists, businessmen and traders have some common and many different problems. When the Aam Aadmi Party forms the government, there will be a panel of industry and business based representatives, which will meet the Chief Minister every 15 days. All the relevant bureaucracy will also be present there. Whatever decisions are made there will be implemented immediately.” He said our country and traders have immense potential but it has not been fully utilized. It can be a miracle if this ability can be put to good use in the true sense. Kejriwal said, “I have come today to invite you industrialists to join the Aam Aadmi Party and the future AAP government. You will run the government. You make the decisions. We (the government) will implement those decisions as we are doing in Delhi.”
Speaking on the occasion, AAP Punjab president and Member of Parliament, Bhagwant Mann said, “Other political parties make their election manifesto by sitting in AC rooms (drawing rooms), but the Aam Aadmi Party does not make election manifesto like this; that is why we have come to seek suggestions from Punjab industrialists for the party’s manifesto.” Mann said no country or government could function without industry and trade but industries and trade from Mandi Gobindgarh to Dhariwal (Gurdaspur) in Punjab were closed.
He alleged that the Punjab government had no plans for industry, trade, schools and hospitals. “The fear of raids by inspectors would have been the cause of fear among the industrialists and traders of Punjab. But on the other hand, Arvind Kejriwal’s government in Delhi has a number of schemes for industry, trade, education and treatment, which are benefiting Delhi’s businessmen, entrepreneurs, students and the general public,” he added. Meanwhile, prominent personalities of Ludhiana industry D.S. Chawla, Upkar Singh Ahuja, Bhupinder Thukral, Amarbir Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Vishal Verma and Rohit Jain shared detailed information about the problems and needs of the industry and trade.
On the occasion, AAP Punjab affairs in-charge Jarnail Singh, co-in-charge Raghav Chadha, Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, MLAs Saravjit Kaur Manuke, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Prof Baljinder Kaur, Aman Arora, Principal Budh Ram, Meet Hayer, Rupinder Kaur Ruby, Jai Singh Rodi, Kulwant Singh Pandori, Manjit Singh Bilaspur, Master Baldev Singh, Amarjit Singh Sandoa, Jagtar Singh Jagga, party leaders Amandeep Singh Mohi, Suresh Goyal, Harbhupinder Singh Dharor, Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Madan Lal Bagga, Kulwant Singh Sidhu, Jeevan Singh Sangowal, Ahbab Grewal, Gurjit Gill, Parampal Singh Bawa, among others were present.
