Terming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a band of ‘fugitives, opportunists, anarchists and confrontationists’, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the civil war in party was just the trailer and the battle would further intensify after allocation of tickets.Interacting with media persons on sidelines of a sports event here today, the Chief Minister said that the squabble for power has exposed that AAP leadership, which was totally undisciplined and bereft of any ideological commitment. He said that people should not expect anything good from these ‘greedy politicians’ who were dreaming to attain power just for minting money rather than serving the people. Mr. Badal said that this party neither has any history nor any contribution for the state but the opportunists and turncoats were joining this party just for the lust of attaining power.The Chief Minister said that experience of AAP government in Delhi was a proof that the leadership of this party was votary of anarchist and confrontationist way of politics, which would be very detrimental for state if they manage to get power. Citing an example of Delhi, he said that AAP leader don’t want to ensure welfare of people but they believe in politics of confrontation which was not at all in the interest of state. “They have a track record of fighting everywhere which is not good for the state or its people” added Mr. Badal.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the Union government must probe the funding of any party from foreign countries. He said that it was really a serious issue if any party gets funding from the countries abroad and must be investigated thoroughly.Slamming the Lok Sabha MP Bhagwant Mann for equating Blue Card Holders with beggars, the Chief Minister dared the AAP leader to list any single pro-poor step taken by their party government in Delhi to ensure welfare of people. He said that Punjab government has taken this historic initiative to provide food security to the people and the Lok Sabha MP must understand that it was the need of people and comparing them as beggars was totally unfortunate and highly deplorable.Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that Captain Amarinder Singh was making baseless allegations regarding power scam just to hide his inability to do anything tangible for power sector during his government. He reminded Captain that while during his tenure people were reeling due to power cuts, the situation was totally different today during SAD-BJP alliance government when the state was the only power surplus state in the country. Mr. Badal asked Captain to refrain from making such irrational statements just for sake of scoring brownie points media.
Welcoming the announcement of NDA government to set up Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe 1984 anti-Sikh carnage, the Chief Minister hoped that finally justice would be delivered to the victims of this heinous crime. He said that Congress which had perpetuated this carnage had ensured that perpetrators of this crime were not punished but this SIT was a welcome step as it would bring the guilty to book.The Chief Minister said that it was a matter of great pride and satisfaction that the state government has initiated a number of pro - poor welfare schemes. Mr. Badal said that Punjab was the only state in country to provide free Atta Dal to people and providing free power to the farmers at a cost of Rs 5000 crore annually. Likewise, he said that now the state government was providing interest free crop loan worth Rs 50000 to the farmers and free medical insurance for people. “Only SAD-BJP alliance government was true sympathizer of people of state and we will leave no stone unturned for ensuring well being of people”, added Mr. Badal.
Later on addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister lauded MLA Mr. GS Babbehali for organizing this mega sports event every year to promote sports in the region. Mr. Badal also listed initiatives taken by state government to encourage sports in state by providing world class sports infra structure and jobs to deserving players. He also slammed the opposition parties for defaming the state as drug addicts just for the sake of their vested political interests. Mr. Badal said that these forces were inimical to interests of state and were unleashing malicious propaganda just to tarnish the image of hard working Punjabis.On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs 2 crore for various development projects in Gurdaspur city.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, MLA Mr. GS Babbehali, former Minister and Chairman Punjab State Technical Education Board Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Joint Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. AK Mittal, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Pradeep Sabharwal and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Jaspreet Singh.