Describing state Congress Chief Captain Amarinder Singh as a ‘epicurean monarch' , the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today dared him to list any single sacrifice made for the state and its people.Addressing the gathering during Sangat Darshan program in Raikot assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that Captain was a typical king who was a firm believer of absolute powers for rulers without bothering for the subjects. He said that Captain was trying to mislead the people by promising moon to them whereas in reality he just wanted to form government for satiating his lust for power. Mr. Badal said that nothing good for the state could be expected from a Maharaja like CaptainThe Chief Minister also held state Congress Chief Amarinder Singh responsible for inviting Mrs. Indira Gandhi to start the digging of the canal at Kapuri in his own constituency Patiala by offering her a silver spade to start the digging. He said that every Congress worker including Captain rejoiced the occasion, which marked the robbing of state’s legitimate share of river waters. However, Mr. Badal said that now these people were trying to attain martyr status by just smearing blood on their finger tip whereas SAD was true custodian of rights of state and its people.
The Chief Minister cautioned the people that if voted to power both the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would discontinue the several pro-people schemes and subsidies being currently given to people. He said that the SAD-BJP alliance government has taken a number of pro-people initiatives like Atta-Dal, Pension, Shagun, Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme, Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Beema Yojna and others to facilitate the people. Mr. Badal said that besides these the state government was giving free power to farmers and weaker sections of society worth several thousand crore rupees annually.However, the Chief Minister said that both Congress and AAP have a proven track record of being anti - poor and anti - Punjabis adding that God forbid if, in any case, these parties were voted to power they would discontinue all these schemes thus leaving hapless beneficiaries in lurch. Citing the examples, he said that during his stint as Chief Minister of state Captain Amarinder Singh had discontinued free power to people and welfare schemes were a distant dream during his regime. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that AAP government in Delhi led by Mr. Arvind Kejriwal has done nothing tangible on the welfare front adding that even its leaders in Punjab were insulting beneficiaries of pro - poor schemes by terming them as beggars.
The Chief Minister reminded the people about unprecedented development in the state during the current tenure of SAD-BJP regime which entirely focused on development. He said that if voted again to power the alliance would dedicate the next regime towards the economic prosperity of every section of society be it farmer, labour or entrepreneur thereby enhancing their income manifold. Mr. Badal said that there was complete synergy between NDA government at Centre and SAD-BJP alliance government in the state as a result of which Punjab was witnessing unparalleled development in every sphere. Urging the people to exercise their franchise carefully, he said that any wrong verdict by them could mar the prospects of further growth of the state.
Later on interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that there was no revolt in party over ticket distribution adding that only those people were leaving Akali Dal, who have been denied tickets by the party. He said that the ticket distribution has been done purely on merit and such people would not get any support amongst the masses.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the demonetization move of NDA Government led by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi would prove very beneficial for the countrymen as this step has been taken in larger interest of the country. He said that after initial hiccups this scheme, which was the brain child of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, would act as a catalyst to wipe out the parallel economy propelled by Black money and corruption from country besides several other social maladies.Earlier, in their welcome address Speaker of Punjab Assembly Dr. Charanjit Singh Atwal and Akali leader Mr. Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal thanked the Chief Minister for sparing his valuable time to hold Sangat Darshan in Raikot assembly segment to give boost to its overall development.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Joint Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mr. SK Kalia, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Upinderjit Singh Ghuman.