No Drinking Problem, Says AAP’s Bhagwant Mann To NDTV

New Delhi: AAP’s Punjab pick Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the party’s unusual televote in the state – a poll before the state election next month to choose the chief ministerial candidate – was his idea. The 48-year-old stand-up comic-turned-politician tas the popular choice in the telepoll with a score of 93 per cent, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said this afternoon.

“The idea of a poll was mine. Arvind Kejriwal told me that it had been decided… we will announce your name. I said this is done by traditional parties… the name of the chief ministerial candidate is announced from the chief’s living room,” the two-time MP from Sangrur told NDTV in an exclusive interview. “Not only did the people choose me… they also told us what all we should do in the state.”

He also hit out at the critics who have been attacking him over his alcohol addiction in the past.

“There is no drinking problem. I’ve put a stop to their narrative. Even party leaders of (Akali Dal’s) Sukhbir Badal are involved in drugs. I don’t need their NoC (No-Objection Certificate). At least I wasn’t drinking the blood of the people of the state.”

The Aam Aadmi Party –  one of the key challengers in the state for the ruling Congres – is the first party in the state to reveal the name of its chief ministerial candidate. 

In the interview, Mr Mann said the party did not delay the announcement of their pick – “There was no delay (in announcing the name for the Chief Minister candidate). It was part of our strategy. We still have time. Arvind Kejriwal did rallies. I had been doing rallies. We have been campaigning for years.”