The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, June 17
The Aam Aadmi Party has gained significant strength ahead of the Ludhiana by-election. On Monday, religious leaders of the Valmiki community announced their support for AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora.
Baba Jaspal Nath Ji of Valmiki Teerath Mandir made this announcement during a press conference in Ludhiana alongside AAP MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura.
On this occasion, Surinder Kalyan, Jasvir, Ravi Bali, Dara Tank, Ajay Chauhan, Kushraj, Balwinder Kala, Sevak Vijay Sharry, Mata Rani Ji, Baba Ramdas Ji were also present with him.
Giaspura expressed his gratitude to Baba Jaspal Nath Ji for extending their support and thanked him warmly. He stated that previous governments ignored the Dalit community, whereas the AAP government has given them respect and empowered them. Giaspura highlighted that the Mann government has allocated crores of rupees for the development of Shri Valmiki Teerath Mandir, which was highly appreciated by the Valmiki community’s religious leaders. Today, they voluntarily decided to support AAP’s candidate in the Ludhiana West by-election.
The AAP MLA further criticized previous governments for always neglecting Dalits and underprivileged communities. He stated that the AAP government is the first to think about the education and economic progress of Dalit children.
He pointed out that families living in Lal Lakir (Red Line) areas of villages in Ludhiana West had long demanded land ownership rights, but the previous Akali-BJP and Congress governments ignored their demands. The AAP government granted them ownership, reflecting its commitment to uplifting the lives of the poor and Dalit communities.
He alleged that previous governments intentionally denied education to the children of the poor. Hundreds of government schools had become “no teacher” schools because these governments feared that if Dalit children were educated, who would work in their homes? However, the AAP government took this issue seriously. Today, there isn’t a single school in Punjab without teachers.
Additionally, the AAP government reserved seats for SC candidates in the appointment of legal officers in the Advocate General’s office. It also waived off debts worth ₹68 crores for families of the SC community.
Addressing the media, Baba Jaspal Nath Ji praised AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora and stated that he is a good natured person and works for the welfare of the underprivileged. This is why we are here to support him.
He further mentioned that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal recently inaugurated eight projects worth ₹35 crores related to our temple, Shri Valmiki Teerath Mandir, in Amritsar. This has strengthened the trust of the Dalit community in the AAP government.
Baba Jaspal Nath Ji expressed his happiness when Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that he wants to beautify the Valmiki Mandir just like the Harmandir Sahib Corridor. He appealed to all members of the Dalit community in Ludhiana to ensure the victory of AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora and said that the Aam Aadmi Party is the only party capable of providing good education to Dalit children. Therefore, vote for the AAP candidate without any hesitation.
