Arvind Kejriwal, national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi CM, flagged off the yatra train under the Chief Minister Teerth Yatra Yojana in Punjab's Sangrur on Monday and took a swipe at all previous governments in Punjab and Delhi, saying that instead of using the money for the Teerth Yatra, they looted it, news agency ANI reported. The yatra train, which began in Punjab's Sangrur, will go from Amritsar to Nanded Sahib.
"All the governments till now were busy in filling their homes. It is not that they did not have money, but they were busy looting the money that is now being used for your 'Teerth Yatra'. Now, there is an honest government in Punjab and Delhi. And this honest government will spend every money on you, your health, power supply, pilgrimage and education," Kejriwal was quoted by ANI in its report.
The AAP chief wished the devotees a joyful journey and stated that they were working with the people's blessings.
"The biggest message of Guru Nanak ji was to serve the poor and the suffering. We are running our governments with the same resolution. Today, on this holy day, we are launching the Chief Minister Teerth Yatra Scheme in Punjab. Under this, the government will bear the entire expenses for travel and food for the pilgrimages. Every week a train will carry pilgrims. Apart from this, the pilgrimage will also be conducted through AC buses," the Delhi CM said.
"It has been 75 years since we got independence but not a single government has provided free pilgrimage before. We have provided free pilgrimage to 80 thousand people in Delhi. And today it is starting in Punjab also. The train will go from Amritsar to Nanded Sahib today. We are working with the blessings of the people," he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Kejriwal met with elderly citizens on their journey to Gujarat's Dwarakadheesh as part of the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana and took a jab at the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming that the blessings of the elders are more potent than the "big parties."
"Your blessings are more powerful than those big parties....We are giving free medical chekup, giving education to children. We are gettting blessing in return. There is no price on that. They must have huge money, but we have your blessings," Kejriwal said.
Speaking with passengers leaving for Dwarakadheesh, he said: "I hope you enjoy your trip...Till now 82 trains have gone and around 80000 have been sent on pilgrimage. I have always tried to be there personally whever a train departs to bid good bye to you."
The Delhi Chief Minister met with elderly citizens who were travelling to Dwarakadheesh as part of the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana. He was also seen taking selfies with other passengers. Atishi, a Delhi Minister, was also spotted with him.