Will parties be in position to implement big poll promises in Punjab?
Delhi CM and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on his election tour to Punjab has once again announced series of bonanzas for the people of the state. In this visit, he has announced of giving Rs.1000 per month to every female above the age of 18 years in Punjab. His interaction with the auto rickshaw unions, announcement for teachers that he will regularize all those who are on ad-hoc basis, fill all the vacancies of the teachers, give promotion in a routine if voted to power. Earlier too, he had announced to give 300 free units of power to every family per month. Punjab State’s exchequer is already running in red and the amount of loans is increasing but it is pertinent to note that the announcements in the pre-Punjab assembly election period will certainly raise many question marks as to how the party will fulfill poll promises when there is shortage of funds. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had also announced 400 units of power free to every family if voted to power and he has also announced the expenses on higher education of few students will be borne by the Punjab Government. Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi is also not far behind in announcements; recently he has specified the cable rates in Punjab. PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has already cautioned to refrain from making false poll promises with the masses keeping in view the current status of state exchequer. Whereas BJP is busy in making election manifesto for the Punjab Assembly Elections 2022 and the masses are keeping eye that what poll promises the party will announce. Who so ever wins but implementing the big poll promises will certainly effect the state exchequer and the question is that how will the next state government do it. Meanwhile, BJP’s senior leaders at present are also carrying out series of meetings to boost the morale of the party cadre. They are carrying out series of meeting in Chandigarh.
Authored by:
Rajat Kumar Mohindru,
Journalist,
Jalandhar City.