Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh to change his feudal mindset and consider himself as a part of general public in the democratic set-up rather treating them as subject in his so-called kingdom.Addressing a public gathering during Sangat Darshan program in the Bassi Pathana Assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that he was a servant of the people in the state while Capt. was a king, who was not at all connected to the roots of people at the ground level. The Chief Minister said that Capt. Amarinder Singh felt belittled to go to the people, on the contrary it was a sheer honor for him to be in their company. He said that his vision of democracy had always been different from that of PPCC Chief who had a “royal and monarchical approach to governance.” Kings live in palaces, I live among the people,” said Mr. Badal.Reminding Capt. of his anti-people stance during his tenure as Chief Minister, Mr. Badal said the Capt. discontinued free power to the farmers, levied Abiana on canal water and imposed the blanket ban on the government jobs immediately after assuming the office, whereas SAD-BJP government after coming to power was not only resumed these initiatives but also started new pro-poor schemes like Atta-Dal and health Insurance Scheme for all. Mr. Badal said Capt. was even inaccessible to his party MLAs, what to talk of meeting the common man. He asked the people to beware of the dubious role of Capt. in bartering away the interests of Punjab adding he said the Congress leadership not only divested Punjab of its Capital, Punjabi speaking areas and river waters but also shattered Punjab on all fronts be it political, economic and religious. Talking to the media persons on the sidelines of the Sangat Darshan regarding demonetization, the Chief Minister said no doubt it would prove to be beneficial for the society in the long run though it has initially certain teething problems, which would be overcome in due course of time.
Asked to comment on the notice served by the Enforcement Directorate on Capt. Amarinder Singh’s family for stashing illegal money in the Swiss bank, the Chief Minister said how he could respond to this query, better ask Capt. to clarify on this issue.Seeking his reaction on not allowing a candidate to contest assembly election from two constituencies simultaneously, the Chief Minister said that all the political parties including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was bound to follow the guidelines of Election Commission (EC) and there was no question of deviation from these guidelines. Asked to comment on not inviting local BJP leaders in the Sangat Darshan, the Chief Minister said that Sangat Darshan program was basically a platform for mutual interaction between the people and the local administration to resolve the issues confronted by the residents and redress their grievances on the spot. He said no one was extended formal invitation rather anyone was welcome to attend the same. The Chief Minister appealed all the people from the nearby areas to attend the Sangat Darshan program because it was not organized with any political motive adding he said the sole objective of holding Sangat Darshan program was to ensure overall development and prosperity of the people in the region.
Seeking reply from the Chief Minister on joining of Akali leaders in Congress, the Chief Minister said, “How he can answer this question? Better you should pose this question to those persons who have joined Congress.” He chided such turncoats as opportunists and said only loyalty and commitment towards party ultimately pays in the long run. Mr. Badal said majority of such turncoats were amongst those who have been denied party tickets, however it was a stark reality that if a person was a given ticket, he would worship the party high command like a God and in case of denial, he equates the party’s supremo as a fraud.Earlier, addressing the gathering, Akali leader and SAD candidate from Bassi Pathana Assembly constituency Mr. Darbara Singh Guru welcomed the Chief Minister and assured him that he would leave no stone unturned to cherish the aspirations of the people in this assembly constituency by ensuring overall development and welfare of all sections of society.The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Dr. S Karunraju.Prominent amongst others who were present on the Sangat Darshan included Akali leader & SAD candidate from Bassi Pathana Assembly constituency Mr. Darbara Singh Guru, SAD District Fatehgarh Sahib President Ranjit Singh Libra, Youth Akali leader Mr. Gurmeet Singh Sonu Cheema, DIG Ropar Range Mr. Harsharan Singh Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Kamaldeep Singh Sangha and SSP Mr. Harcharan Singh Bhullar.