Arvind Kejriwal asks Punjab MLAs to perform

Chandigarh, March 20

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today reconstituted the special investigation team (SIT) probing the drugs case against SAD leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

You will have to work round the clock. Targets have to be achieved. If you don’t meet people’s expectations, you will have to be changed. You need to be out on the streets to connect with the people. Arvind Kejriwal, AAP convener

IGP, Crime Branch, Gursharan Singh Sandhu would supervise the working of the four-member team to be headed by AIG Dr Rahul S. The other members of the team are AIG Ranjit Singh Dhillon and DSPs Raghbir Singh and Amarpreet Singh.

Earlier during the day, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, while addressing a virtual meeting of the newly elected MLAs of Punjab, said, “The ministers who do not perform will be changed. People are watching you very closely. So not changing those not performing will be difficult for the government. You will have to be working round the clock. Targets have to be achieved.

“I wish you accomplish the assigned task with sincerity. I am not congratulating you, but wishing you well to carry out the assigned task with sincerity. If you don’t rise up to the public’s expectations, they will have you changed,” Kejriwal said.

The AAP convener said Mann had “very rightly pointed out that they should not be sitting at their homes”. “Don’t get used to the luxuries of staying in Chandigarh. You need to be out on the streets to connect with the people.”

Kejriwal said: “I heard some MLAs are not happy with the new Cabinet. They feel they have been ignored. The Cabinet cannot be bigger than 18. I must tell everyone that we are a 92-member team under the leadership of Bhagwant Mann. Those not assigned Cabinet berths will be given equally responsible jobs.”

Kejriwal said: “Meet the CM if you have any work of your constituency. He will always be available, but don’t meet him for transfer of DCs, SSPs or SHOs etc.” Talking about the anti-corruption helpline to be launched on March 23, Kejriwal said: “We have shown results of a clean administration in Delhi and are sure of similar results in Punjab.”

Kejriwal said: “We have received messages that some leaders visited offices and used harsh words with employees. It is good that our leaders and workers are visiting offices… we need to be careful with our language.”

AAP roadshow in Mandi on April 6

• Setting its sights firmly on Himachal Pradesh, the Aam Aadmi Party will hold a roadshow in Mandi on April 6
• AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will be leading the roadshow
• Both CMs will seek blessings of deities and promise a ‘corruption-free govt’, said state in-charge Ratnesh Gupta
• The Assembly elections in HP are scheduled to be held towards the end of this year