Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is organising a huge rally for farmers in Punjab's Moga ahead of 2017 elections.
Highlights
- AAP organising huge rally for farmers in Moga district
- Punjab govt has asked school buses to stay parked for inspections
- Drivers have been ordered to attend training session
As the Aam Aadmi Party prepares for a huge rally in Punjab's Moga district in a major outreach to farmers ahead of elections next year, the party has raised questions about a government order that will keep thousands of buses off roads in the state.
Yesterday, a day ahead of the rally to be led by party chief Arvind Kejriwal, the Punjab government had issued an order directing all private schools to ground their fleet of buses for inspections on Sunday.
If the buses are not found parked in school premises for inspection, their licenses will be cancelled, the order from the Moga district's transport officer warned.
The drivers of the buses, meanwhile, have been asked to report to the government's transport offices at 11 am where they will be educated about traffic rules and safety regulations.
The AAP says the orders are a clear attempt by the Akali Dal-BJP government to dent attendance at its rally in Moga today where Mr Kejriwal will launch the party's manifesto for farmers.
Political parties host rallies on holidays and rely on operators of school buses and vans to ferry supporters and party activists.
In a tweet, Arvind Kejriwal said the Badal family which governs Punjab is "scared".The Aam Aadmi Party will debut in Punjab elections next year and its brand is seen as high-value, largely because of the time and effort expended by Mr Kejriwal in frequent visits to the state, where he won a surprise four seats in the last general election.
But in recent weeks the party has been mired in controversies. Late in August, it removed its Punjab chief, Suchcha Singh Chhotepur after a sting that allegedly revealed him selling a constituency to an AAP candidate.