‘Kejriwal eyeing CM post, wants Mann to lose’

BATHINDA/CHANDIGARH: Bhagwant Mann would lose in Dhuri as AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal wanted him to be defeated so that the latter could be the state’s CM, Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh

Channi

alleged on Sunday night while addressing a rally at Mehal Kalan assembly segment in Barnala district.

Later, at a press conference in Chandigarh on Monday, Channi announced free education up to university level in the government sector, besides setting up of a free regulatory commission in case the Congress is voted back to power.

In

Mehak Kalan

, the Congress’s CM face said, “I was in Dhuri earlier in the day, many people met me and told me that Kejriwal has asked his people to vote against Mann.”

Meanwhile, at the press conference, Channi said, “We will make education free in government schools, government colleges and state universities. We will also strengthen the SC scholarship scheme and launch a scholarship scheme for backward classes. A scholarship scheme will also be introduced for the economically weak in the general category.”

He also promised a host of freebies in various sectors, including health. He promised one lakh jobs for the people of Punjab along with interest free loans for education or entrepreneurship. “The file for one lakh jobs will be the first I sign (after returning to power). It will also be my personal responsibility to give a permanent roof to every house. Had I got more time than three months, I would have done this,” he said.

On Monday, Channi also addressed a rally in Sujanpur constituency in Pathankot and later visited Jalandhar. In Chandigarh, Channi said people admitted in a government hospital would be given free treatment. “This is something that happens abroad... Our is a welfare state. A government has to be run like a household. Along with atta-dal, education is equally important, but it has become very costly. We will set up a free regulation commission to check fees in private schools and colleges,” he said.