 "Arvind Kejriwal")
Claiming that ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance in Punjab was confronted with a "tsunami of anti-incumbency", Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal today said the party will replicate the Delhi anti-corruption model if AAP is voted to power in the state.
Kick-starting his five-day visit to Punjab, where Assembly elections is due early 2017, Kejriwal claimed that the party would form its government in Punjab as the present dispensation is "confronted with a tsunami of anti-incumbency."
"Corruption would be eradicated in Punjab after we come to power. The Delhi experience would be replicated in Punjab where 52 officials have been nabbed," he said.
Terming as "cruel joke" the "meagre compensation" paid by the state government to farmers for the damaged crop, Kejriwal promised adequate compensation to them if AAP comes to power.
"We have done it in Delhi where compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare was given for farmers in 307 villages for their damaged crops, which was never done by any previous government," Kejriwal said while addressing different gatherings.
Kejriwal met wives of farmers, who recently committed suicide due to heavy debt.
"I think the compensation of Rs three lakh announced by the state government for families of farmers, who committed suicide, was also embezzled by corrupt officials and politicians as on the ground, no such compensation was given to any family," he said in Sunam district.
Kejriwal promised that if voted to power in the state, the AAP government would provide necessary health and education facilities.
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In the first leg of his Punjab tour, Kejriwal visited Mauran, Chhajli, Mehal Kalan, Sirsi wala, Mansa Kainchian, Banwala, Takht Damdama Sahib and Kotshameer regions.
Villagers apprised the Delhi Chief Minister that over Rs 150 crore of the people were duped by the chit fund companies which were allegedly operational under political patronage.
Kejriwal promised the villagers that he would make sure that they get their money back after their party is voted to power.
"People of Punjab frequently come with information that AAP is all set to win about 100 seats in Punjab, but I told them we should win all the 117 seats to eradicate corruption from its root.
"They should ensure that not even a single seat should go either to Congress or SAD-BJP combine to show them their misdeeds," Kejriwal said.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal attacked his political opponents, saying other parties make their manifestos sitting in air conditioned rooms while his party cadre would visit villages and homes to understand their problems.
Kejriwal was accompanied by other party leaders including Punjab's AAP convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Bhagwant Mann, MP, Sanjay Singh and Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
Posters, meanwhile, appeared in Bathinda questioning the performance of Kejriwal.
AAP had successfully organised a mega rally in Muktsar last month. The party is locked in a tussle with Congress and SAD-BJP combine.
AAP has been raising its voice against the issue of drug addiction and farmers suicide and alleged irregularities in buying pesticides.
The party had opened its account in Lok Sabha by winning four seats in Punjab in 2014 general elections. However, two of its MPs - Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa - have been suspended on the charge of anti-party activities.
