Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Saturday directly engaged with traders, shopkeepers and business owners during a meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission (PSTC) in Jalandhar, reaffirming the Bhagwant Mann Government’s commitment to resolving their concerns through dialogue and responsive governance. Highlighting small traders as the backbone of the economy, the AAP Supremo said that while previous governments ignored their issues and subjected them to harassment and extortion, the Bhagwant Mann Government has ended such practices and established the PSTC to ensure that even the smallest problems faced by the trading community are addressed promptly and effectively.
Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has broken free from decades of exploitation and misgovernance, ushering in an era of transparent, development-driven governance focused on public welfare. He said that unlike previous governments, the AAP Government has the confidence to directly seek feedback from people after four years in office, while its work on irrigation, employment, public services and infrastructure has transformed lives across Punjab.
Addressing a massive gathering, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “The Bhagwant Mann government has completed four years in office. After working for four years, I do not recall any government in Punjab’s history that could sit face to face with people and hold such discussions. Earlier, Congress, BJP governments and Akali Dal governments came. After four years in office, when they went among the people, villagers would not even allow them to enter. People would stand with shoes in their hands to beat them. Today, when we go among the people, they smile at us, praise us, and are ready to embrace us. They appreciate our work.”
Referring to a recent roadshow, he shared, “Yesterday we were in Bathinda. We were holding a roadshow after securing excellent Municipal Corporation results and forming the Mayor. As we passed through the streets, people came out of their shops to welcome us. Their body language showed how happy they were to see Bhagwant Mann and all of us. They were genuinely happy. I am seeing the same reaction here today. The way all of you are praising the government and appreciating its work, something extraordinary seems to be happening in Punjab’s history. For the first time, a government has completed four years and people still like that government and want it back again.”
Recalling his childhood, Arvind Kejriwal further shared, “When I was a young boy, I used to spend my summer holidays at my grandfather’s home. I belong to Siwani village. We had a grocery shop at the bus stand and I would sit there in the afternoons. My uncle was a small trader. Since then, I have known that nobody in this entire system listens to a small trader. Even when governments discuss Punjab’s economy, GDP, and development, the focus remains on large industrialists and investments worth hundreds or thousands of crores. But the real backbone of the state is the small trader. You people are the real backbone. Everyone talks about traders, but I have not seen a single government or political party that actually goes to traders and resolves their problems.”
He continued, “If the road in front of your shop breaks down or an electric pole stops functioning, what do you do? You make endless rounds of government offices, MLAs, and various departments. Even getting a single streetlight repaired becomes a huge struggle. Does it not? Even a small task becomes exhausting.”
Explaining the purpose of the Traders Commission, the AAP Chief emphasised, “To ensure that the voice of a small trader reaches the Chief Minister directly, we created the Punjab State Traders Commission. There is a commission at the state level, district level, and constituency level. Around 800 markets across Punjab, both large and small, have been identified. Meetings have been conducted with traders in all these markets. Whatever demands traders raised, whether exposed electricity wires, broken roads, non-functional streetlights, lack of toilets, lack of drinking water, or any other issue, all those concerns are documented and sent directly to Bhagwant Mann. A dedicated team in the Chief Minister’s Office ensures that even the smallest problem is resolved.”
Highlighting the system’s effectiveness, he stated, “Which government has ever ensured that the voice of a small trader reaches the Chief Minister and that the Chief Minister personally works to solve each issue? I am extremely happy because the concerns all of you raised today show that this entire system is functioning effectively. That is precisely why the Traders Commission was created.”
Turning to corruption, Arvind Kejriwal said, “There is another important point. Under previous governments, we used to hear about extortion. Traders and industrialists were forced to pay money. During our five years in government, that system of extortion has ended. Nobody comes to extort money from you anymore. There is no extortion under our government. Our government functions honestly.”
He added, “However, extortion has now started at a bigger level. There are four parties in Punjab. One is the ‘Chitta Party.’ You understand which party spread drugs into every household of Punjab. The same party is also called the ‘Beadbi Party’ because numerous incidents of ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) took place during its rule.”
“There is another party, the ED Party. This is the party that is misusing the Enforcement Directorate to extort money from traders. Then there is the ‘Jhagda Party’, whose leaders are always fighting among themselves. They are still fighting today and they are not going to do anything for you. The fourth party is the Aam Aadmi Party, your party, ‘janta ki party’, which is working for you,” the AAP Chief laid out.
Speaking about political donations, Arvind Kejriwal asserted, “Last year, the ED Party received donations worth ₹60 crore from Punjab, while the Aam Aadmi Party received only ₹70 lakh from Punjab. The government in Punjab belongs to the Aam Aadmi Party, not them. They have only two seats in Punjab.”
The AAP Chief noted, “The ‘ED Party’ received ₹60 crore from Punjab’s traders, industrialists, companies, and businesses. How did they receive that money? People were summoned and threatened with ED and CBI action. Those who did not pay were subjected to ED raids. We have seen raids after raids in recent days. Some people are arrested, while in some cases ED raids happen and suddenly disappear. How do they disappear? The matter gets settled after donation payments are made.”
He continued, “The AAP government is not extorting money from you. We are running the government honestly. The ED Party sitting at the Centre is collecting donations from you through extortion.”
Turning to law and order, Arvind Kejriwal said, “When we took charge of the government, there were two major challenges. One was gangsters and the other was drugs. I have personally studied the history of every gangster in Punjab. All of them are either relatives, associates, or creations of these old parties. Not a single gangster emerged during the five years of the Aam Aadmi Party government. They are all products of those parties.”
He added, “One by one, gangsters are being eliminated from Punjab. I am not saying all of them are gone, but most have either been eliminated or have fled. For the first time in Punjab’s history, seven gangsters have been deported from seven different countries and brought back to Punjab. Never before has this happened. For the first time, gangsters operating abroad were brought back through coordination with foreign governments and made to face punishment here.”
Referring to notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Arvind Kejriwal said, “One gangster still remains, Lawrence Bishnoi. He is sitting in Sabarmati Jail. He is the son-in-law of the ED Party and enjoys its protection. He has created immense trouble. The Union Home Ministry has issued orders that nobody can take him out of that jail. Sitting there, he continues to run his entire network throughout the world. If any crime linked to him occurs in Punjab, Punjab Police cannot bring him here. Investigators have to go to Sabarmati Jail to question him. He is being protected from all sides and provided every facility. Whatever remains of gangster rule in Punjab today is the contribution of the ED Party.”
Speaking about drugs, the AAP Supremo stated, “Who started the drug menace in Punjab? When the ED Party and the Chitta Party were running a coalition government in Punjab, drugs entered every household. Their ministers used to transport drugs in their vehicles and distribute them. Today, strong action is being taken against addicts, drug peddlers, and major traffickers. Their properties are being demolished. Since yesterday, Punjab Police has also started action against ‘hawala’ operators who help send drug money abroad.”
He added, “When we took charge, 70 percent of the drugs came from Pakistan through drones and 30 percent came from Gujarat. We have largely stopped the drugs coming from Pakistan. Anti-drone systems have been installed across the Punjab-Pakistan border. Drones are intercepted and shot down before they can enter. Now 70 percent of the drugs come from Gujarat. Seventy percent of the ‘chitta’ comes from Gujarat.”
Citing examples, Arvind Kejriwal said, “You must have read about the seizure of 3,000 kilograms of drugs worth ₹21,000 crore at Mundra Port in 2021. That was only what was caught. Nobody knows how much escapes detection every day. According to a CAG report last year, 2,200 kilograms of drugs in Gujarat were supposedly eaten by rats. They say rats consumed them. Nobody knows where those drugs actually went. Today, Gujarat has become the gateway for drugs across the country, and that too falls under the ED Party.”
Arvind Kejriwal added, “But we are continuously working on it. It is a work in progress. With your blessings, we will continue this effort over the next five years as well.”
Punjab Has Entered New Era of Transparent Governance, Trader-Friendly Policies and Development-Driven Politics: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has witnessed a historic shift in governance, where elected representatives are directly engaging with people and seeking feedback after completing four years in office, something no previous government ever dared to do. “While governments traditionally retreat into official chambers after years in power, the overwhelming affection and appreciation being received from people across Punjab has further strengthened the resolve of the AAP Government to work tirelessly for public welfare,” he added.
Describing traders as the backbone of Punjab’s economy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said successive governments ignored their concerns and treated them merely as a source of revenue and political funding. “For decades, small traders and shopkeepers were neglected because nobody bothered about their genuine issues. The Punjab State Traders Commission has been constituted to create a congenial environment for business and ensure that every legitimate concern of the trading community is addressed promptly,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said previous rulers remained deeply entrenched in private businesses and promoted their personal commercial interests at the cost of Punjab’s development. “Those who controlled private transport networks systematically weakened state-owned bus services. Likewise, those who owned private educational institutions neglected government schools. Their governance model was driven by personal profit rather than public welfare,” he stated.
Highlighting the contribution of traders, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said they are not job seekers but job creators who drive economic growth and generate employment opportunities for thousands of youth. “The role of the government is to facilitate businesses, not to seek a share from them. Earlier, traders hesitated to expand their enterprises because they feared harassment and demands for shares. Our government does not consider traders as ATMs. We are committed to facilitating their growth and prosperity,” he said.
Launching a direct attack on the traditional political parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal leadership have completely lost credibility among the people. “They have no agenda, no roadmap and no vision for any section of society. They merely wait for their turn to return to power and resume plundering Punjab’s wealth. For years, Congress and Akali leaders played a game of musical chairs, alternating power only to exploit the state’s resources. The AAP Government has put an end to this destructive cycle and ushered in an era of unprecedented development,” he said.
Referring to the drug menace, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said traditional political parties inflicted immense damage on Punjab’s youth and people know who was responsible for destroying the lives of thousands of young Punjabis through the drug trade. He said that if these parties return to power, they will once again misuse authority to exploit Punjab and its people.
Highlighting key achievements of his government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said nearly 90 % of Punjab households are receiving free electricity, providing major relief to families. He further noted that the Punjab Government took the historic decision of purchasing a private thermal plant in the larger public interest to ensure affordable power for consumers.
The Chief Minister said that when the AAP Government assumed office, canal water reached only around 22 % of Punjab’s cultivable area, whereas today coverage has increased to more than 80 per cent. “Due to sustained efforts by the government, groundwater levels have improved by two to four metres in several areas, reversing a long-standing trend of depletion,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said more than 67,000 government jobs have been provided entirely on merit and without corruption since the formation of the AAP Government. He also highlighted the success of the Sadak Surakhiya Force, stating that more than 2,700 precious lives have been saved through timely intervention and improved emergency response mechanisms on highways.
Taking a swipe at the Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the party currently has more chief ministerial aspirants than grassroots workers. “They may launch bus yatras and photo opportunities to showcase unity, but everyone knows their internal contradictions. Such artificial exercises cannot hide their leadership crisis and internal bickering,” he remarked.
Reiterating that the AAP Government believes in the politics of development, welfare and performance rather than division and hatred, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab’s soil is fertile enough to nurture prosperity, progress and brotherhood. “The only thing that cannot grow here is hatred. Therefore, the BJP should not live in a fool’s paradise by assuming it can divide Punjabis on communal lines. The people of Punjab have always rejected divisive politics and will continue to uphold the state’s glorious traditions of harmony and unity,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has entered a new era where governance is being measured through performance, transparency and service delivery rather than empty slogans and political theatrics. “People of Punjab have seen the difference. They know who worked for the state and who worked for themselves. The Punjab Government will continue to serve every section of society with honesty, dedication and accountability,” he said while seeking wholehearted support and cooperation from people to make Punjab a frontrunner state in the country.
Senior AAP leader and AAP Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema and Mohinder Bhagat, along with other dignitaries, were also present on the occasion.
