Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today dared the AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal to make his stand clear on the Punjab’s territorial issues before the Punjabis.Addressing the people on the last leg of three-day Sangat Darshan program here in Nawanshahar Assembly Constituency, the Chief Minister categorically said that Kejriwal should desist from befooling innocent people of Punjab as his stoic silence on Punjab issues was creating apprehensions in their minds about his so called loyalty, sincerity and commitment for the development of state and welfare of its people. Mr. Badal unequivocally stated that Kejriwal being Haryanvi was tightlipped and not coming up openly to show his cards on safeguarding the rights of Punjab on several contentious issues like River Waters, Chandigarh as Capital and transfer of Punjabi speaking areas to the state. These issues were hanging in fire since long due to the apathetic attitude of the successive Congress led governments at Centre.
The Chief Minister pointed out Kejriwal’s dubious character has been unmasked due to recent instance of his Delhi Government submitting an affidavit in Apex Court against the interests of Punjab on SYL issue. Mr. Badal appealed the people to be judgmental enough to identify the political leadership which was sincerely working for the welfare of the state or others indulging in cheap politics like AAP and Congress with a sole motive to rule in state to satiate their lust for power. Mr. Badal said that diversionary tactics by AAP like C-voter fake survey would not help it any way rather it would gradually swept away AAP in the strong undercurrent of SAD-BJP’s popularity which has already declared development as its poll plank for 2017 Assembly elections. Exuberating confidence, Mr. Badal said Kejriwal and his handful of cronies would soon meet the same fate as the state Congress leadership was made to lick the dust by SAD-BJP alliance in 2007 and 2012 Assembly elections.
Holding Congress party squarely responsible for the decay of local industry in the state, the Chief Minister said that liberal financial incentives and concessions given to hill states had severely hit our industry which resulted in mass exodus of several industrial units from Punjab to the neighboring states like HP, J &K and Utrakhand.Later talking to the media persons, Mr. Badal said that he was fully seized of the matter regarding the various gangsters operating in Punjab and was being regularly updated by the DGP Mr. Suresh Arora. He said law and order was the top most priority of the government and the same would be maintained at all costs.The Chief Minister approved a project of Rs. 10 crore for laying sewer and installation of Sewerage Treatment Plant in Rahon.
Meanwhile, Mr. Badal accompanied by the Chairman MARKFED Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahad visited the residence of local eminent lawyer Mr. Ajit Singh Sian to share his heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of his younger brother Jaspal Singh Sian with the bereaved family.Prominent amongst others who were present on the Sangat Darshan included senior Akali leader and Chairman MARKFED Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahad, Joint Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. Kumar Amit, DIG Ludhiana Range Mr. SK Kalia, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Vipul Ujjwal, SSP Mr. Snehdeep Sharma, President Nagar Council Rahon Hemant Randev and District President SAD Baba Ram Singh.