What will be fate of tall poll promises of AAP in Punjab?

High hopes, high spirits of the masses in Punjab with the formation of Aam Adami Party (AAP) Government in Punjab led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in regard to the implementation of tall poll promises announced by the AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal during the pre-poll campaign in the state. As Mann gave a courtesy call to PM Narendra Modi after taking oath, he demanded financial package of Rs 50,000 crore per year for two years which calculates 1,00,000 lack crores. Mann has clearly pointed out the deficit of the state exchequer. After this news the masses are in dilemma in regard to the implementation of the poll promises. The females are eagerly waiting for the transfer of their pension in their accounts above the age of 18 years. Those females who could not fill the pension forms in the past Year are looking for the fresh forms to be duly filled for submission to the competent authorities for their pension. At present, AAP leaders are focusing on the coming Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly elections to highlight their performance in Punjab to woo voters.    

300 free electricity units?
When the political leaders are in opposition they leave no stone unturned to woo the voters towards their side by announcing number of freebies and guarantees, even knowing that the state exchequer is in deficit. When they come to power they clearly say that the state exchequer is empty and as soon as the revenue increases they will implement their poll promises. The scheme of issue of 300 units of free electricity to every consumer seems to be delayed because a new issue of pre –paid electricity meters installation is on the cards, if these pre-paid power meters are installed then there will be number of questions to be answered in regard to 300 free electricity units for every consumer.    

One time pension scheme for Punjab MLAs
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has scrapped the old pension scheme and announced for implementation of one time pension scheme for ex-MLAs, there will be no consideration that how many times one has won. Mann said that the saving of funds from pension of ex- MLAs will be utilized for the welfare of the masses in Punjab. New government with a new schemes, which policies the new government implement to generate more revenue from natural resources such as sand, gravel etc and excise from liquor. If the government fails to increase its revenue the guarantees announced can take little bit more time for implementation than expected earlier.

BJP on damage control in Punjab 
BJP leaders are carrying out series of meeting with their workers to find out the reasons of their debacle in Punjab. The party known for its stronghold in the urban areas failed to show better performance than expected. There are certain rumours that if the municipal committees, municipal corporations elections are announced shortly those aspirants who fail to get the party ticket can try to switch on to another party and that cannot be ruled out in the power game. Interestingly, AAP has performed much better than expectations even in the urban areas.
 
Congress reviews the situation
As desired by Congress high command PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has forwarded his resignation paving way for a new state party chief who will have get the party to  contest in the municipal committee and municipal corporation elections and achieve victory. 

Authored by:
Rajat Kumar Mohindru, 
Journalist,
Jalandhar City.