AAP releases first candidate list for 2017 Punjab elections
The Aam Aadmi Party released its first candidate list for 19 constituencies for the upcoming 2017 Punjab state elections. AAP released the list way ahead of the election schedule, just like it did for the 2013 Delhi elections. MP Bhagwant Mann, who was in the news lately for Parliament security protocol breach allegations, has been appointed the AAP's Campaign Committee Chairman in Punjab.
Aam Aadmi Party to take part in Punjab elections
In Dec'15, Aam Aadmi Party announced it would take part in the Punjab assembly elections expected to be conducted in 2017. Ruling out electoral understandings, AAP stated its candidates would be fielded in all the 117 assembly constituencies, making it a three-way affair. In Jul'16, AAP launched its 51-point youth manifesto promising jobs, Wi-Fi hot spots, and a law for controlling Punjab's drug issue.
AAP releases first candidate list for 2017 Punjab elections
The Aam Aadmi Party released its first candidate list for 19 constituencies for the upcoming 2017 Punjab state elections. AAP released the list way ahead of the election schedule, just like it did for the 2013 Delhi elections. MP Bhagwant Mann, who was in the news lately for Parliament security protocol breach allegations, has been appointed the AAP's Campaign Committee Chairman in Punjab.
Tickets allotted to committed workers and youth
AAP MP Bhagwant Mann along with Punjab Affairs Incharge Sanjay Singh and Women Wing Incharge Baljinder Kaur released the list. Mann said, "The party allotted tickets to its committed workers and youth, who all have a clean image. We will soon release the next list."
Two former BSP members given tickets
Two former Bahujan Samaj Party members are also on AAP's list. Santokh Singh Salana was given the Ferozepur (rural) ticket while Mohan Singh Phalianwala the Bassi Pathana ticket. Former President Giani Zail Singh's extended family member, Kultar Singh Sandhwa was allotted Kotkapura constituency. Rupinder Kaur Ruby will participate from Bathinda (rural), Inderbir Singh Nijjer from Amritsar (South), and Gurvinder Singh Shampura from Fatehgarh Churian.
Two former basketball players get tickets
Two former basketball players' names are also on the AAP's candidate list. Arjuna Award winner Sajjan Singh Cheema will contest from Sultanpur Lodhi constituency while Gurditt Singh Sekhon was allotted the Faridkot constituency.
AAP to have separate manifesto for SC Community
Eyeing victory in the 2017 Punjab Assembly Elections, AAP has proposed to come out with a separate manifesto for the Scheduled Caste community. An AAP spokesperson said, "The new manifesto will be for the SC community which has been ignored, and will work for their development and benefit." A new outlay of procedure to work on the community's demands has been suggested.
AAP releases Kisaan Manifesto for Punjab elections
The AAP released its 31 point Kisaan Manifesto, promising to continue the policies of free power, atta-dal, Shagun and pension schemes enacted by the SAD-BJP government. They added that they would introduce a complete waiver of loans for small farmers, Dalit and backward class farmers and farm labourers. They also promised more natural disaster compensation and waiver of loan interests for all farmers.
AAP-Punjab elections: Bhagwant Mann fielded against Sukhbir Singh Badal
Arvind Kejriwal has fielded tainted AAP MP Bhagwant Mann to contest against Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal from Jalalabad constituency. Kejriwal publicly asked the Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann to contest against Badal during a rally in Jalalabad; Shiromani Akali Dal said Kejriwal himself should have contested against Badal. Mann had won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Sangrur with the highest margin in Punjab.
Arvind Kejriwal releases separate manifesto for the disabled in Punjab
A different manifesto of the party was released by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the differently-abled in Punjab. A pension hike of Rs.2,500 was assured along with a decrease in levels of disability for pension purposes from 50% to 40%. Additionally, on Thursday morning, nearly 100 NRIs from Canada arrived in Delhi to support Kejriwal in Punjab elections.