NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday addressed the party’s “Women’s Wing Leadership Training Program,” urging women to actively participate in politics and social initiatives.
Along with Chief Minister Mann, the program saw the presence of Punjab In-charge Manish Sisodia, AAP Punjab Women’s Wing State President and Moga MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora, and Punjab Women’s Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill. Kejriwal addressed the gathering via video conference.
Highlighting AAP’s inclusive approach, Kejriwal told the women leaders, “Only the Aam Aadmi Party gives women the opportunity to enter active politics. Other parties use women only as a vote bank. Their women’s wing leaders bring women to rallies or attend women-centric events, but they do not allow women from ordinary families to enter active politics.”
He emphasised the party’s efforts for women’s welfare, particularly through the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign. “Women suffer the most due to drugs because drugs snatch away their children and husbands and destroy their homes. Therefore, women should participate in the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign and contribute significantly to eradicating drugs from Punjab,” Kejriwal said.
He urged women to admit addicted family members to de-addiction centers, noting that the facilities are equipped with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, to ensure patients’ comfort. “In my view, the greatest act of virtue is saving people from drug addiction and bringing their families back on track,” he added, encouraging women to run awareness campaigns in their local areas.
Kejriwal also spoke about AAP’s broader governance initiatives, stating, “We built good schools for the children of the poor, mohalla clinics and good government hospitals for their treatment, and made their electricity bills zero. These schemes have made life much easier for poor people, otherwise in such times of high inflation, survival would have been very difficult.”
Chief minister Mann addressed the importance of women in society, criticizing opposition parties for limiting their participation. “Other parties also form women’s wings, but they remain limited to a minister. Women from ordinary households are only there to shout slogans,” he said.
Mann added, “Just as a home cannot function properly without women, similarly the country also cannot function properly without their participation.” He highlighted initiatives like free electricity and mohalla clinics that ease the financial burden on women, sharing an example: “Once I met a milkman who thanked me for doing a lot for milkmen. I asked him how? He said that after 300 units of electricity were made free, women started saving money. Earlier, people used to settle accounts with me every three months. Now they pay me every 10 days because they are saving money on electricity, treatment, and their children’s school fees.”
He also noted the campaign against drugs primarily benefits women, as they are often the most affected by addiction in their families. Mann cited economic empowerment efforts through self-help groups, saying, “In Sangrur, with the help of the government, 100 women formed a group and started their own work, and today their monthly turnover has reached Rs 1.5 crore. Apart from this, thousands of women have been recruited into the Punjab Police. Today, women are moving ahead in every field.”
Highlighting ongoing efforts to train women leaders, Mann said, “Just today, we have sent around 350 women sarpanches and panches from Fatehgarh Sahib to Maharashtra for training at government expense. The government will bear the cost of their stay, food, and travel. We are working with full commitment to empower women, and in the coming days, meaningful results will be seen.”
Along with Chief Minister Mann, the program saw the presence of Punjab In-charge Manish Sisodia, AAP Punjab Women’s Wing State President and Moga MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora, and Punjab Women’s Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill. Kejriwal addressed the gathering via video conference.
Highlighting AAP’s inclusive approach, Kejriwal told the women leaders, “Only the Aam Aadmi Party gives women the opportunity to enter active politics. Other parties use women only as a vote bank. Their women’s wing leaders bring women to rallies or attend women-centric events, but they do not allow women from ordinary families to enter active politics.”
He emphasised the party’s efforts for women’s welfare, particularly through the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign. “Women suffer the most due to drugs because drugs snatch away their children and husbands and destroy their homes. Therefore, women should participate in the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign and contribute significantly to eradicating drugs from Punjab,” Kejriwal said.
He urged women to admit addicted family members to de-addiction centers, noting that the facilities are equipped with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, to ensure patients’ comfort. “In my view, the greatest act of virtue is saving people from drug addiction and bringing their families back on track,” he added, encouraging women to run awareness campaigns in their local areas.
Kejriwal also spoke about AAP’s broader governance initiatives, stating, “We built good schools for the children of the poor, mohalla clinics and good government hospitals for their treatment, and made their electricity bills zero. These schemes have made life much easier for poor people, otherwise in such times of high inflation, survival would have been very difficult.”
Chief minister Mann addressed the importance of women in society, criticizing opposition parties for limiting their participation. “Other parties also form women’s wings, but they remain limited to a minister. Women from ordinary households are only there to shout slogans,” he said.
Mann added, “Just as a home cannot function properly without women, similarly the country also cannot function properly without their participation.” He highlighted initiatives like free electricity and mohalla clinics that ease the financial burden on women, sharing an example: “Once I met a milkman who thanked me for doing a lot for milkmen. I asked him how? He said that after 300 units of electricity were made free, women started saving money. Earlier, people used to settle accounts with me every three months. Now they pay me every 10 days because they are saving money on electricity, treatment, and their children’s school fees.”
He also noted the campaign against drugs primarily benefits women, as they are often the most affected by addiction in their families. Mann cited economic empowerment efforts through self-help groups, saying, “In Sangrur, with the help of the government, 100 women formed a group and started their own work, and today their monthly turnover has reached Rs 1.5 crore. Apart from this, thousands of women have been recruited into the Punjab Police. Today, women are moving ahead in every field.”
Highlighting ongoing efforts to train women leaders, Mann said, “Just today, we have sent around 350 women sarpanches and panches from Fatehgarh Sahib to Maharashtra for training at government expense. The government will bear the cost of their stay, food, and travel. We are working with full commitment to empower women, and in the coming days, meaningful results will be seen.”
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