Major setback to Congress! MC Shivraj Singh and Saroop Singh join AAP
Chandigarh/Gidderbaha (The Uttam Hindu): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Wednesday, addressed three back to back mega rallies in Gidderbaha assembly constituency and urged the people to vote for Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon saying that he is one of their own, he didn't abandoned them even after losing from this constituency twice, and he won't abandon them after winning.
CM Mann addressed rallies at Bhalaiana, Doda and Gidderbaha city where he attacked BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Badal for not even speaking the language of the people and being so out of touch. Mann also cornered Raja Warring for abandoning the constituency and not doing anything for the people of Gidderbaha, even after being elected thrice from here. He was accompanied by cabinet ministers, AAP MLAs, Chairmen and AAP candidate Gurdeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon during his campaign.
AAP leader and artist Karamjit Singh Anmol also addressed the people of Gidderbaha and thanked them for their support during the 2024 general elections. He said that in the Mann government the public welfare works never stop. He urged the people to vote for the AAP candidate for the betterment of Gidderbaha assembly constituency.
Addressing the people in Bhalaiana CM Mann said that the people have all the power in democracy. "We are here because of you not the other way around, but the leaders of Congress and BJP are arrogant, they think they are bigger than people, you taught them a lesson in 2022," said Mann. He added that shatter the arrogance of dynast politicians who think they are bigger than the people.
Mann thanked the people for their continuous love and support. He said that they are here because of the people. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party talks about employment, electricity, schools and hospitals. These are the matters that concern common people. "You trusted us and gave us 92 seats in the assembly elections, we are living up to your expectations and we have fulfilled most of our major election promises," he said.
Mann said that in 2013 when Arvind Kejriwal was fighting against Sheila Dikshit, who was three times CM of Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party was very new, formed only a few months ago. On the election day when Sheila Dikshit was coming out of the polling station after casting her vote, the media asked her about Arvind Kejriwal and she said who is Kejriwal? But after the result not only Kejriwal won, but we formed the government in Delhi too. That is the power of the people in democracy, said Mann.
The CM took a dig at BJP candidate and former finance minister Manpreet Badal, accusing him of being disconnected from the people and their issues. "He never understood the struggles of common people." Mann said that he talks in Urdu, he doesn't even speak the language of the people of Punjab.
Narrating a story Mann told people that once the media was asking Manpreet Badal about when Jagdish Bhola named Bikram Majithia in the drug case, Manpreet Badal kept talking about the revolution of France and war in Palestine. He said that the next day no newspaper published his news because he wasn't talking about Punjab or our issues. Mann also said that earlier, Manpreet Badal had abandoned Gidderbaha, and now, after losing from Bathinda Rural, he is suddenly dreaming about Gidderbaha.
Mann also took a swipe at Raja Warring's election campaign theatrics, saying that these leaders only reach out to the public when elections are around the corner. "They are born with silver spoons, unaware of the struggles of common people," Mann added.
Mann said, "Journalist asked me about the postponing of the election, I told them that previously, opposition parties would have lost by 20-25 thousand votes, but now they will lose by 30-35 thousand votes." Mann also appreciated the women present at the rallies and encouraged them to participate more in politics.
Mann also reflected on his personal journey, quipping about how, as an artist, he used to charge fees to perform at village events and tournaments. "Now, whenever I visit a village or city in Punjab, I bring funds to give back to the people. This is the power and responsibility given to me by the people. I’m here to serve, not to make money. I left a successful career as a comedian to serve Punjab and its people," he explained.
Mann also spoke about the symbolic power of AAP’s election symbol, the broom (jharoo). He highlighted its special resonance with women, saying, "Mothers and sisters don’t need much explanation. They know exactly what’s right for their families and communities." He added that the broom symbolizes cleanliness, both literally and in the political sense.
Mann said that they (Congress, BJP and Akali Dal) were playing a 'friendly match' in Punjab for many decades but then the Aam Aadmi Party entered politics. He said that those people used to create factions in villages among people, pitting them against each other when all the time they stayed friends who used to dine together. He urged the people to stay united too and said to the people of Gidderbaha that they missed in 2022 but now they have an opportunity to bring change. He said that they will work with doubled speed for two and years for the development of Gidderbaha. He said that his government has already released funds for the sewerage and water works of Gidderbaha.
*Congress MC Shivraj Singh and Saroop Singh join AAP*
During Doda rally, Congress MC Shivraj Singh and Saroop Singh left their previous party and joined the AAP. Shivraj Singh was a Congress leader for 50 years and him leaving Congress party will be a major setback for the Congress.
*CM Mann didn't give me ticket; but it's a ticket for all of you (the people), so the victory will belong to you too: Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon.*
*My only aim is to serve the people of Gidderbaha. Give me a chance to work for your development: Dimpy Dhillon.*
Addressing the people at rallies, AAP candidate Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon said that this by-election is an opportunity for the people of Gidderbaha to be part of the AAP government. He stated that CM Bhagwant Mann didn't give him a ticket, but it is a ticket for all the people of Gidderbaha. He added that, because of their support, he was honored with this responsibility, and this victory will belong to them too.
Dimpy launched a scathing attack on Raja Warring and Manpreet Badal. He criticized them for getting elected multiple times from Gidderbaha and yet doing nothing for the people and the constituency. Dimpy Dhillon said that Raja Warring had been elected thrice from Gidderbaha, was the PPCC president, president of the All India Youth Congress, and a cabinet minister in the Congress government in Punjab. Despite all this, he did nothing for Gidderbaha or its people. At the first opportunity, he abandoned the constituency and doesn't even live in Gidderbaha.
Attacking Manpreet Badal, Dimpy Dhillon said that he is a 5-time MLA. He was elected four times from Gidderbaha and served as finance minister twice, but what did he do for the people of Gidderbaha? He too abandoned the constituency.
Dimpy Dhillon urged the people to support him and ensure a huge victory. He emphasized that this is also a battle to defeat those who betrayed Gidderbaha. He reiterated that his only aim is to serve the people of Gidderbaha and asked them to elect him so that he can work for the development of the constituency. Dimpy Dhillon promised that he would work more in two years for Gidderbaha than what Badal and Warring did in 29 years.
