Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), made several major promises to the people of Punjab during the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. Their campaign focused on governance reforms, welfare benefits, employment, and improvements in education, healthcare, and law enforcement. These promises were often described as “guarantees” meant to bring the “Delhi model” of governance to Punjab.
One of the most prominent promises was free electricity for households. AAP announced that every family in Punjab would receive 300 units of electricity per month free of cost. The aim was to reduce the financial burden on ordinary families and provide relief from rising power bills. The leadership argued that by reducing corruption and improving the management of the power sector, the state could afford to provide this subsidy while maintaining stable electricity supply.
Another major promise was a monthly financial allowance of ₹1,000 for every adult woman in Punjab. According to the proposal, every woman aged 18 years and above would receive this amount directly in her bank account. The idea was to increase women’s financial independence and help families manage everyday expenses such as food, education, and healthcare. This promise was widely discussed because it targeted a very large portion of the state’s population.
Employment generation was also a key focus. The party promised to create around one lakh government jobs and provide more employment opportunities for the youth of Punjab. This was meant to address the serious issue of unemployment and the growing trend of young Punjabis migrating abroad for work or education. The leadership said they would encourage new industries, improve investment conditions, and make government recruitment more transparent.
AAP also promised a strong anti-corruption system. Inspired by measures implemented earlier in Delhi, they proposed an anti-corruption helpline where citizens could report officials demanding bribes. The goal was to create a transparent government system where people could access services without paying illegal fees. The party emphasized that reducing corruption would save public money that could then be used for welfare programs.
Healthcare reforms were another central promise. The government pledged to establish Mohalla or Aam Aadmi Clinics, neighborhood health centers that provide free consultations, medicines, and basic diagnostic tests. These clinics were designed to improve access to healthcare, especially for low-income communities and rural residents. The model was based on similar clinics introduced earlier in Delhi.
Education improvement was also highlighted. The party promised to transform government schools into high-quality institutions, similar to the education reforms implemented in Delhi. This included renovating school buildings, improving teacher training, introducing modern teaching methods, and ensuring that children from poorer families receive quality education without needing private schools.
Drug abuse in Punjab was another major issue addressed in the campaign. Kejriwal and Mann promised to make Punjab drug-free by taking strict action against drug traffickers and improving rehabilitation programs for addicts. They said that strong law enforcement, combined with youth engagement programs such as sports facilities and employment opportunities, would help reduce the problem.
Finally, they promised broader economic and social reforms under the vision of “Rangla Punjab”, meaning a prosperous and vibrant Punjab. This vision included improving farming support, attracting industries, building sports infrastructure in villages, and regularizing contractual government workers. The overall goal was to restore economic growth, reduce corruption, and improve the quality of life for people across the state.