Bhagwant Mann Set To Be Punjab Chief Minister: “It’s A Victory Of The People”!
It was expected that Aam Aadmi Party’s “Broom” (Charu) would be winner in Punjab given the winds of change but the results of the February 20 election finally released Wednesday (Thursday, March 10 Punjab time) are clearly a shocker as Bhagwant Mann led AAP party is looking at a clean sweep of Punjab with big opposition guns like the Shiromani Akali Dal heads the Badals (both father Prakash and son Sukhbir) as well former Congress Chief Ministers Captain Amarinder and Charanjit Channi have either already lost or are looking at historic defeats of major party leaders.
By R. Paul Dhillon – Editor-Founder DESIBUZZCanada With News Files
CHANDIGARH – It was expected that Aam Aadmi Party’s “Broom” (Charu) would be winner in Punjab given the winds of change but the results of the February 20 election finally released Wednesday (Thursday, March 10 Punjab time) are clearly a shocker as Bhagwant Mann led AAP party is looking at a clean sweep of Punjab with big opposition guns like the Shiromani Akali Dal heads the Badals (both father Prakash and son Sukhbir) as well former Congress Chief Ministers Captain Amarinder and Charanjit Channi have either already lost or are looking at historic defeats of major party leaders.
The Aam Aadmi Party took a big lead right from the start and was leading in 90 plus seats and on their way to an easy majority win, which they hope to bring drastic change in Punjab where people come first and corruption will be fought vigorously.
AAP’s big win in Punjab is clearly a victory of the people, who have rejected both traditional parties and their leaders. The will to see ‘badlaav’ (change) in the political establishment was apparently so strong that none of the “extraneous” factors worked, and people have voted against the usual lines of religion, caste and class. The way all big stalwarts have been trailing by huge margins, clearly shows the public contempt and disgust with the traditional parties and leaders.
In an exclusive telephonic interview with The Tribune, Bhagwant Mann said, “They have pushed away the established political leadership, known for their vices, and given their mandate for a better future for the state and their own selves.”
He said he was overwhelmed with the massive tsunami that the party could create in the state that drowned all political bigwigs, and he owed it to the people to live up to their expectations and deliver on all promises made by the party. “These were not promises, but guarantees that we will keep,” he said.
Mann, who was in Sangrur, said that there was a huge gathering of people outside his house. “I am indebted to the people for reposing faith in the positive development-oriented agenda given by Arvind Kejriwal, and rejecting those who symbolise all corrupt things associated with power,” he said.
Mann, who shot to fame as a political satirist, has been Member of Parliament from Sangrur for two terms now. This election is as much a personal victory for him as for the party as people have largely voted for him as chief minister. In many constituencies, the party candidates were insignificant and people voted for Kejriwal and Mann.
AAP was leading in 89 assembly segments, celebrations have broken out in the party office, with party leaders and workers dancing to dhol beats and waving the party flags and chants of ‘jhadu phir gaya’. The trends now are more or less unlikely to change. It also proves that the AAPs pro development agenda has been given a mandate by the people of Punjab.
This election, though the voter was by and large silent, they clearly seemed to have voted for a party that has promised them good education, healthcare and governance, rejecting the “caste”, “religion” and “dera” agenda. Hopes are high from the party and party leaders here assure deliverance.
The party’s astounding win here also gives wings to its national ambitions. It cements the party’s position as the principal opposition party to BJP nationally.
