Chandigarh, August 13: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday addressed the AAP’s “Women’s Wing Leadership Training Program” and appealed to women to participate actively in social and political activities.
Along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab In-charge of the party, Manish Sisodia, AAP Punjab Women’s Wing State President and Moga MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora, and Punjab Women’s Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill were present at the program. Arvind Kejriwal addressed the gathering via video conferencing.
Addressing the women leaders, Arvind Kejriwal said that only the Aam Aadmi Party gives women the opportunity to enter active politics. Other parties use women only as a vote bank. Their women’s wing leaders bring women to rallies or attend women-centric events, but they do not allow women from ordinary families to enter active politics.
He said that ever since the AAP government was formed, it has been continuously working for the welfare and empowerment of women. The ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign run by the AAP government has also provided the greatest relief to women. He said that women suffer the most due to drugs because drugs snatch away their children and husbands and destroy their homes. Therefore, women should participate in the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign and contribute significantly to eradicating drugs from Punjab.
Kejriwal appealed to women, saying that if their children, fathers, or husbands are addicted to drugs, they should admit them to de-addiction centers without hesitation. The AAP government has equipped these centers with all modern facilities. Even air-conditioning has been arranged so that patients do not face any discomfort due to heat.
He also urged women to run awareness campaigns against drugs in their local areas. Kejriwal said that in his view, the greatest act of virtue is saving people from drug addiction and bringing their families back on track.
Kejriwal said that they (AAP leaders) work for the welfare of the poor, which is why they (AAP) are still alive in politics. Many conspiracies were hatched against them. He and his party leaders were sent to jail and attempts were made to break the party, but they did not break because they had the blessings of the poor and common people.
“We built good schools for the children of the poor, mohalla clinics and good government hospitals for their treatment, and made their electricity bills zero. These schemes have made life much easier for poor people, otherwise in such times of high inflation, survival would have been very difficult,” he said. He added that because of these schemes, even the traditional voters of BJP and Congress are now praising and supporting AAP.
Just as a Home Cannot Function Without Women, a Nation Cannot Thrive Without Them: Bhagwant Mann
Addressing the program, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann targeted opposition parties. He said that other parties also form women’s wings, but they remain limited to a minister. Women from ordinary households are only there to shout slogans.
In contrast, the Aam Aadmi Party, after bringing women into the party, gives them training on how to participate in active politics. He said that just as a home cannot function properly without women, similarly the country also cannot function properly without their participation.
He said that free electricity and mohalla clinics benefit women the most. This reduces the burden of inflation on them, as they are the ones most directly affected by inflation. Everything from ration to gas cylinders is connected to them.
The Chief Minister gave an example, saying that once he met a milkman who thanked him for doing a lot for milkmen. “I asked him how? He said that after 300 units of electricity were made free, women started saving money. Earlier, people used to settle accounts with me every three months. Now they pay me every 10 days because they are saving money on electricity, treatment, and their children’s school fees,” Mann said.
Similarly, a man called him and said that the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign is actually for women because women were the most distressed due to drugs. Their children were being ruined or their husbands were returning home drunk and engaging in domestic violence.
The Chief Minister also cited the example of women’s economic progress through self-help groups. He said that in Sangrur, with the help of the government, 100 women formed a group and started their own work, and today their monthly turnover has reached ₹1.5 crore. Apart from this, thousands of women have been recruited into the Punjab Police. Today, women are moving ahead in every field.
“Just today, we have sent around 350 women sarpanches and panches from Fatehgarh Sahib to Maharashtra for training at government expense. The government will bear the cost of their stay, food, and travel. We are working with full commitment to empower women, and in the coming days, meaningful results will be seen,” the Chief Minister said.
