Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the incidents of desecration of Sri Guru Sahib ji in the state were handiwork of those forces which want to disturb the hard earned peace of the state. Interacting with the media persons after paying floral tributes to late Mrs. Sawinder Kaur Kahlon, wife of former Speaker Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon, on her first death anniversary here today, the Chief Minister, while expressing deep concern over this unfortunate incident, said that some forces which were wary of the peace and progress of the state were continuously perpetuating such incidents. He said that these heinous acts were being executed anti-Punjab forces but the state government was duty-bound to nab these culprits and put them behind the bars. Mr. Badal said the state government was committed for promoting the ethos of peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the state and nefarious designs of these fissiparous forces would be thwarted at every cost. Asked about the visit of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the state, the Chief Minister said that they would hardly have any effect on the state polity.
He said that the people of the state were wise enough to judge between their friends and foes adding that they would only support the SAD-BJP alliance, which was the true custodian of interests of Punjab and its people. “Kejriwal is free to come and go in the state but it will hardly help in improving his party’s fortune as people of state are solidly with the alliance”, added Mr. Badal. Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that only Punjab was the rightful owner of Chandigarh and river waters of the state. He said that as per universally accepted principles Haryana neither has any right on Chandigarh nor on river waters of the state. Mr. Badal said that every new state carved out of parent state has developed its own capital city so Haryana has no right on Chandigarh adding that as per Riparian Principle Haryana could not claim even a single drop of river water from state. On another query, the Chief Minister reiterated that the SAD-BJP alliance was firm and everlasting adding that alliance would contest the elections together.
He said that till yet no meeting on seat sharing has taken place and the alliance partners would take a call on it at suitable time. He further said that the SAD-BJP alliance would contest the ensuing polls in the state on the plank of communal harmony, peace and development.Earlier paying floral tributes to Mrs. Sawinder Kaur Kahlon, the Chief Minister lauded the role played by Mrs. Kahlon in philanthropic causes, to help the needy, Mr. Badal said that she would be ever remembered for her hard work and dedication besides for spreading the light of education particularly in the border areas of state. He further said that the untimely death of Mrs. Kahlon was an irreparable loss for people of region in general and Kahlon family in particular.
On the occasion former Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon, accompanied by his son and Chairman of Punjab Tube well Corporation Mr. Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon, thanked the dignitaries and people for sharing their grief. Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Jathedar Ajit Singh Kohar and Jathedar Tota Singh, Lok Sabha MP Jathedar Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura, MLA Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, former Ministers Jathedar Sucha Singh Langah, Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Mr. Jagdish Sahni, former MLA Mr. Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, senior Akali leader Mr. Ramandeep Singh Bharowal, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. AK Mittal, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Pardeep Sabharwal and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Diljinder Singh Dhillon.