AAP enters poll mode with Moga rally, Mann leads charge

Killi Chahlan (Moga): A 11:20 am post on X by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann ended the suspense over his participation in AAP's mega anti-drug rally in Moga following his brief hospitalisation and triggered a wave of excitement among party workers and MLAs."A massive rally is being held today by the Aam Aadmi Party at Killi Chahlan village near Moga... See you there, friends," Mann posted. Around three hours later, the CM sounded the 2027 assembly election bugle from the venue, urging the public to unite against rival parties to ensure a revived Punjab. Mann, who was rushed to Fortis Hospital on Sunday after exhaustion, took potshots at the opposition for spreading rumours about his health. He claimed his rivals were rattled by the success of AAP's "Yudh Nasheya Virudh" (War Against Drugs) campaign. Taking swipes at former SAD and Congress govts, Mann accused them of presiding over the state's drug crisis. "We are demolishing the networks promoted by previous administrations," he said. Accompanied by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Mann introduced members of the newly formed village and ward defence committees (VDC), who pledged to combat drug abuse at the grassroots level. Mann also appealed to parents to monitor their children's activities after school or college to prevent addiction. He highlighted that his govt has provided over 60,000 jobs, claiming that the number of youths seeking to move abroad has decreased as faith in the state's economy grows. Arvind Kejriwal said that while sceptics doubted the "Yudh Nasheya Virudh" campaign a year ago, the public now has full faith in the initiative. He assured informants that their identities would remain confidential and urged voters to reject the SAD, BJP, and Congress in favor of AAP. Senior leaders Manish Sisodia and health minister Dr Balbir Singh also addressed the crowd, with the latter asserting that high heroin seizures in Punjab were a result of increased drone smuggling across the international border. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that since the campaign's launch on March 1, 2025, over 34,000 FIRs have been registered and 45,000 arrests made. Chief secretary KAP Sinha said 1.5 lakh VDC members have been enroled, calling it crucial to the campaign's momentum. MSID:: 128424267 413 |