Mann sworn in as Punjab CM, says won’t waste a single day

SBS Nagar: AAP leader Bhagwant Mann was sworn in as the Punjab chief minister on Wednesday. Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mann in the swearing-in ceremony that took place at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in Punjab’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar district.

The event was supposed to start at 12:30 pm but got delayed and was held at around 1.25 pm. Besides the newly-elected AAP MLAs, Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, minister Satyendar Jain, and other leaders wearing yellow turbans were also present.

AAP’s Punjab affairs in-charge Jarnail Singh and co-incharge Raghav Chadha also attended the event. The 48-year-old Mann, who took the oath in Punjabi, also delivered a brief address after the ceremony. In his first speech after becoming the CM, Mann assured the people of the state that his government in Punjab will address issues like unemployment, corruption and farmers’ plight.

“The work will start from today itself. We will not waste even a single day. We are already late by 70 years,” he said. He promised that the condition of government schools and hospitals in the state will be improved like it has been done by the AAP government in Delhi.

Like people from abroad come to see the improved schools and hospitals in Delhi, they will also come to Punjab, he added. He also touched upon the issue of youth of Punjab migrating to other countries for greener pastures. Mann said earlier, the swearing-in ceremonies used to take place at cricket stadiums or Raj Bhawans. “Now this oath-taking ceremony is held at the village of a martyr,” he said, adding that Khatkar Kalan was not new for him as he had visited it many times.

“Bhagat Singh had dreamt of freedom and the AAP is fighting to take that freedom to the common people,” he said. However, Bhagat Singh was concerned about who would take over the reins of the country once it got free. “His (Bhagat Singh) concern proved to be right,” said Mann, adding that those who ruled the country for 70 years did nothing.

“To love is the birthright of everyone, why not make your country your beloved,” Mann said quoting Bhagat Singh as he asked the people to “love the country’s soil”. Mann said, “We are amongst you and we will remain like this.” He said the people of Punjab have created history. “In the coming years, it will be taught in schools that people voted without any fear or greed on February 20, 2022,” said Mann on the mandate given to the AAP. He thanked Kejriwal, saying the AAP is improving the country’s politics. - PTI.