Bhagwant Mann, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been sworn in as Punjab’s 18th chief minister at the state civil secretariat in Chandigarh. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters wore “basanti” turbans and dupattas, the colour associated with the freedom fighter, to the swearing-in ceremony in Khatkar Kalan, Bhagat Singh’s home village.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday at Khatkar Kalan (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar) appealed to the people to remain humble and modest as the Aam Adami Party’s (AAP) government belongs to each and every citizen of Punjab, and moreover, the Chief Minister is always of all the people.
At a mammoth gathering after paying floral tributes to the legendary martyr at Shahed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh’s museum & memorial here before swearing in as Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann said he was overwhelmed with this massive mandate given by the people of Punjab, but at the same time, we should be far more responsible now and not be arrogant because “pride hath a fall.”
He stated that this is the first time a Chief Minister has taken the oath from the land of martyrs, as previous ceremonies were held from stadiums and palaces.Bhagwant Mann further said that this was probably the first time the people had fearlessly voted for AAP without any vested interest or greed.
Pointing out further, Bhagwant Mann said that we had really got freedom now as the previous governments during the past 70 years blatantly ignored the vision and dreams of our great martyrs like Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. He said the day of February 20, 2022 would be ever remembered in the annals of Punjab polity as the people exercised their franchise without any influence and coercion, of which the result was declared on March 10, 2022, thus paving the way to fulfil the dreams of legendary martyr Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh.
Bhagwant Mann further said that his government would start functioning right from today and not even a single day would be wasted as it is already too late to cherish the aspirations of the people in bringing transformation to Punjab. He said that the AAP government would provide the best education and healthcare infrastructure by setting up state-of-the-art schools and hospitals, which would be greatly appreciated by all.
“It is really pathetic that the youth from progressive states like Punjab are migrating to foreign shores in search of green pastures. Our government will strive hard to offer lucrative jobs besides eradicating the menace of corruption and other malpractices in order to provide clean, transparent, and good governance, “said Bhagwant Mann, hoping that such pro-people initiatives would ultimately repose confidence and trust in the newly elected government.
The Chief Minister further said that the entire gamut of things had been so complex and complicated, which would be soon sorted out with the people’s fulsome support and cooperation in the larger interest of the State.
Lauding the stupendous efforts of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for floating a party altogether different from the traditional parties, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that he (Kejriwal) was even on a fast for 20 days with the sole mission of bringing sweeping reforms to the Indian polity. He said that the time had now come when the AAP would leave no stone unturned to realise the dreams of the people.
Lakhs of people from every nook and corner of the state converged here at the ancestral village of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Men and women wearing Basanti turbans and dupattas presented a serene Basanti atmosphere in the main pandal and roads leading to Khatkar Kalan. Surcharged with enthusiasm and patriotic fervor, the people, including party workers and volunteers, were raising the slogans “Inqlaab Zindabad, Bole So Nihaal.., Aam Aadmi Party Zindabad.”
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