New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 1
At the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s mega public rally led by National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declared that the recent court verdict marked a historic victory of truth in Indian politics and affirmed that AAP has emerged stronger as a national force. Launching a direct political challenge, Mann asserted that Punjab will deliver 100 seats in 2027 to defeat as authoritarian rule, adding that the victory against such politics will begin from Punjab. “Where Punjab moves, the nation follows,” he said, maintaining that 2027 will mark the beginning of change across the country and that Punjab has never bowed before authoritarianism.
Referring to the withholding of GST dues and the non-release of the ₹1,600 crore flood relief announced for Punjab, he said injustice will be answered through a resounding democratic mandate. He underlined that authoritarian politics cannot suppress Punjab and that from here will begin the march toward national victory, reiterating that this is not a fight for any one individual but a larger battle to safeguard the Constitution and democratic values of India.
Addressing party leaders and supporters via video conferencing, Mann congratulated the entire AAP team on a historic victory of truth in Indian politics following the recent court verdict. He said, “I extend heartfelt congratulations to everyone. The day before yesterday will be remembered as a historic day in Indian politics, a day when truth prevailed. I congratulate the entire AAP team, those who worked behind the scenes and those who worked in the forefront, on this massive victory we have received from the court.”
The Punjab CM reflected on the journey of the party and said, “Whenever any crisis befalls the AAP, the party emerges two or four times stronger. I do not know why, but destiny or God always brings us back to the very tree under which the AAP was born, here at Jantar Mantar. Today’s programme was pre-decided, but we did not know that such a verdict would come from the judge. Today we have an opportunity to tell the entire country that truth remains truth. The biggest advantage of speaking the truth is that you do not have to remember it again. Wherever you speak, you speak the same truth. Those who lie have to remember what they said earlier.”
Taking aim at policy reversals, Mann said, “There have been several instances where GST was opposed and later implemented. Many decisions were opposed earlier and later changed. There were statements about rising oil prices. Now prices are even higher, yet it is called a masterstroke. This is the difference between truth and falsehood.”
Recalling the party’s founding principles, Mann said, “Under this very neem tree, where our foundation was laid, we renew our pledge to transform the politics of this country and infuse honesty into it. Earlier, party manifestos were filled with talk of hatred and religion. Arvind Kejriwal compelled other parties to write about schools, hospitals, electricity, employment, and infrastructure in their manifestos. Otherwise, they only spoke about religion and caste.” He added, “Arvind Kejriwal is our leader. He has shown that if 140 crore citizens of this country decide to do something, it happens. God stands with those who stand for truth.”
Calling upon AAP karyakartas to spread the message, Mann added, “We must go across the country and tell our relatives, friends, and acquaintances that this is the victory of truth. We must explain how conspiracies were hatched. When government hospitals improved, pressure came from private interests. When government schools improved and children shifted from private schools, those who benefited from donations felt threatened. When electricity was made free, medicines were made free, infrastructure expanded, and the budget grew from ₹300 crore to ₹60,000 crore, it became difficult for opponents to face elections. So they decided to find some scam and jail Arvind Kejriwal and his team. They jailed everyone.”
Describing the ordeal of repeated court hearings, Mann said, “In our country, perhaps punishment is not as harsh as the repeated court dates. Date after date after date is the real punishment.” He recalled the challenging period when senior leaders were in jail during the Jalandhar by-election. “At that time, the entire think tank of the party was inside jail. Decision-making authority was affected. Yet, with our backup team, we continued. In meetings, Arvind Kejriwal always asked about Punjab. He asked whether free electricity was reaching people, whether irrigation work was progressing, and directed that anyone found corrupt should be sent to jail. Despite the circumstances, we won the Jalandhar by-election and another MP seat by a large margin. That strengthened our resolve.”
