On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, along with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, inaugurated 109 new Aam Aadmi Clinics for the state's residents.
This initiative, a key focus of the AAP's healthcare strategy in Punjab, has already expanded the state's network of such clinics to 990 within four years, with an additional 400 clinics planned for opening soon.
Kejriwal highlighted that these clinics provide 107 medicines and 47 diagnostic tests free of charge. He also stated that the network has already recorded 5 crore outpatient visits.
"All these facilities are thanks to the AAP government. Soon, the biggest announcement (AAP's key election promise) will be implemented, where every woman will receive Rs 1,000 per month. For SC women, Rs 1,500 will be provided," he said.
"Registration will begin around Baisakhi. Any woman above the age of 18 and a resident of Punjab can register and start receiving the benefits. This fulfills all our promises," Kejriwal added.
Kejriwal also contrasted the situation with Delhi, cautioning voters against the BJP.
He said, "We have made electricity free across the state. Punjab and Delhi were the only two states where electricity was free under AAP governments. Now that the BJP rules Delhi, I've heard that free electricity may be stopped there within six months," he stated.
"In Punjab, you are getting free electricity because of the AAP government. If by mistake you vote for them, think about what will happen in Punjab," Kejriwal added.
"In Delhi, after the BJP came to power, all Mohalla Clinics were closed, medicines and tests in government hospitals were stopped, and now they are planning to end free electricity. Tickets for free bus travel for women have also been stopped. That is why AAP is necessary. Do not vote for other parties even by mistake," he emphasised.
Over the past four years, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been built, bringing the total to 990. An additional 400 clinics are planned, meaning there will be approximately 1,500 clinics across Punjab, he stated.
"In every corner of Punjab, in every village and 'mohalla', you will find an Aam Aadmi Clinic. If you have a minor illness, you can go there for treatment. The doctor consultation is free, the treatment is free, the tests are free, and the medicines are free," he said.
"In the last 75 years, all other parties that ruled Punjab – Congress, (SAD), BJP, Akali Dal – not a single clinic was opened by them where people could get such facilities and quality treatment," Kejriwal said, adding that within four years, the AAP government has ensured free treatment across Punjab.
So far, there have been 5 crore OPD visits, he added.
Punjab has a population of 3 crore, which means many people have visited multiple times, he said.
Describing feedback and monitoring, he added, "From CM Mann's office, random calls were made to all patients who visited Aam Aadmi Clinics. They were asked about their experience, and they said it was very good... we have earned the blessings of the people."
He also touched upon the recently launched 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna' scheme, which provides cashless medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab.
He said while government hospitals are being improved, it will take time.
Now, residents of Punjab can also avail treatment in private hospitals under the scheme, he said, adding that the best private hospitals, where even CMs or ministers go, common people too can avail treatment there.
"For farmers, CM Mann has done a lot. Earlier, electricity for irrigation would come at 3 am or 4 am, sometimes only for half an hour. Now you get 7 to 8 hours of continuous electricity during the day, even up to 12 hours. There is no need to wake up at night anymore. Canal water is now reaching every field. Earlier only 22 percent farmers had irrigation water, now 78 percent farmers across Punjab have access to it," Kejriwal said.
Addressing the gathering, CM Mann said the government is exploring the feasibility of putting high tension wires passing through farmers' land underground. "This will be implemented soon and will provide major relief to farmers, as these wires pose a huge risk to them and their crops."
Lashing out at rival parties, Kejriwal said, "Other parties have nothing left to say. They only abuse us on Twitter (X). When they go to villages, people chase them away. They have now become Twitter parties".
Appealing to people to bring AAP back to power in the 2027 elections in Punjab, he said, "last time, you gave 92 seats. This time, do not give even a single seat to them. Give all 117 seats to AAP so that CM Mann's hands are strengthened and we can work even harder."
Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, Mann said, "From this stage, we are talking about education, health, power, agriculture, and other sectors, whereas on the stages of other parties, only claims are being made to grab power."
"These opportunistic leaders are baffled because people are not responding to them. Their agenda is limited to the welfare of their own families, not the people. These leaders have no vision for Punjab and are driven only by personal ambition," he said.
"On the other hand, we have provided free electricity to 90 per cent of households, given jobs to more than 65,000 youth in a transparent manner, improved roads, and strengthened infrastructure," Mann said.