NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday lauded the Punjab government for the “tough steps” taken by the state government in recent days to maintain the law and order situation and credited the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government for “displaying maturity and patience”.
“The actions taken in the last few days have proved that Aam Admi Party is willing to take the most stringent steps. We are patriots. We love Bharat mata and no one will be spared if they take steps against the country or tries to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere,” Kejriwal said in a video statement that came against the backdrop of the Punjab government’s continuing crackdown on Khalistan secession campaigner Amritpal Singh, 30, the chief of “Waris Punjab De”.`
More than 114 Waris Punjab De members have been arrested, while five members have been charged under the National Security Act, 1980, and moved to a jail in Assam’s Dibrugarh.
Kejriwal’s said the AAP was willing to take the toughest steps in the national interest.
“This has been displayed by CM Bhagwant Maan and the AAP government in Punjab. We want to thank the people of Punjab who have stood by their government and co-operated all through this. We pray for peace and progress of Punjab and our country,” Kejriwal added.
Kejriwal’s statement came hours after chief minister Bhagwant Mann warned of strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to disturb peace and harmony in the state. Without naming Amritpal Singh, Mann, in his first reaction to the police action, said some elements were trying to spoil the environment with the help of foreign powers and were giving hate speeches.
Kejriwal congratulated the Punjab government for its maturity and patience in handling the issue.
“When our government was formed in Punjab, many people told us that we know how to perform in the sectors of education and health but how will we be able to maintain law and order in a border state. Over the last year, we have demonstrated that if the intentions are noble and clear, law and order can also be maintained,” he said.
Kejriwal added that the AAP government had inherited a system in which there was nexus between criminals-gangsters and the Punjab politicians.
“Every gangster was linked with some politician or political party. We were not associated with anyone. We have acted against gangsters, criminals and the drug mafia over the last year. I want to thank the people of Punjab for standing with the government,” he added.