CM Bhagwant Mann and and Arvind Kejriwal Arrive in Jalandhar for Traders Commission Meeting and Religious Event

June 13, 2026

Jalandhar: Several senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, arrived in Jalandhar today. Their first engagement here was a meeting with traders associated with the Punjab State Traders Commission.

Government Claims Focus on Small Traders

During the meeting, Arvind Kejriwal stated that his administration is the first government in Punjab to actively listen to small traders. He emphasized that the government pays attention to even the smallest grievances of traders; the Chief Minister personally addresses their issues and ensures his team resolves them.

Crackdown on Extortion, Says AAP Government

The AAP government in Punjab has put an end to the practice of extortion from traders, and the administration is functioning with integrity. Kejriwal remarked that while large-scale extortion used to be the norm, the political landscape now includes a ‘Chitta Party’ (associated with drugs), a ‘Beadabi Party’ (associated with sacrilege), an ‘ED Party’, and a ‘Jhagra Party’ (party of infighting). He added that there is also a party that truly belongs to the people the Aam Aadmi Party which works for the public’s welfare.

Allegations Over Political Funding

He noted that the ‘ED Party’ received donations worth ₹60 crore from Punjab last year, whereas AAP received ₹70 lakh. He questioned how the ‘ED Party’ secured such funds, implying that raids were conducted to facilitate these donations.

All the leaders are scheduled to attend a religious event at the Sai Dass School grounds at 6:30 PM. The event is being organized by AAP leader Deepak Bali and will feature performances by renowned ‘bhajan’ singer Hansraj Raghuvanshi.

Grand ‘Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv Ke Naam’ Programme

Mohinder Bhagat, Punjab’s Minister for Horticulture, freedom fighters, and defense services welfare, along with Deepak Bali, Advisor to the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, announced that a religious gathering dedicated to Lord Shiva is being held in Jalandhar this evening (June 13). This grand event, themed ‘Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv Ke Naam’ (An Evening Dedicated to Lord Shiva), will see famous religious singer Hansraj Raghuvanshi connecting thousands of devotees to spirituality through his ‘bhajans’.

Mayor Vineet Dheer, Punjab Safai Karamchari Commission Chairman Chandan Grewal, Improvement Trust Chairman Ramnik Singh Randhawa, Sanatan Seva Samiti President Vijay Sharma, and Rajwinder Kaur Thiara stated that this is the first time an event of such magnitude is being organized in the city. The event will take place at the Sai Dass School grounds at 6:30 PM.

Describing the gathering as a unique confluence of devotion, faith, trust, and culture, they expressed hope that thousands of devotees from Jalandhar and neighboring districts would participate. Vijay Sharma, President of the Sanatan Seva Samiti, said that this event would further strengthen Punjab’s rich religious and cultural traditions, as well as the bonds of brotherhood and unity.

While the Punjab government is providing full support in making the arrangements, the event is primarily being organized by local temple committees, saints and seers, and the residents of Jalandhar.