Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar has denied any vendetta politics by party workers against the Akalis, dismissing as apolitical some recent reported clashes between workers of the two parties.Addressing mediapersons soon after taking over as PPCC chief, Jakhar said the Congress would never indulge in vendetta politics, as repeatedly asserted even by the chief minister.Reiterating his gratitude to the Congress leadership, including AICC president Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi and Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Jakhar said it was an acknowledgement of the hard work of an ordinary worker of the party.His biggest challenge, he said in response to a question, was to ensure that all party promises to the people are fulfilled, for which the chief minister had assured full cooperation of his government. Jakhar said he would ensure that the Punjab Congress acts as a direct connect and builds two-way communication between the government and the people in the state. Responding to questions, he listed effective governance as top priority for the party and said all efforts would be made to ensure efficient delivery of services to the common man.
On the SYL controversy, Jakhar pointed out that it was also the responsibility of the central government to resolve the issue and thanked the prime minister for his intervention in the matter. He said he had personally requested former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to take an all-party delegation to meet the prime minister on the issue but his request had been rejected. He expressed the optimism that the issue would be resolved through consensus, for which the prime minister had already initiated measures.Asked about the low cleanliness ranking for his constituency of Abohar in the Swachh Survekshan 2017, Jakhar said he would ensure the formulation of a comprehensive policy to make Punjab cities liveable. His priority was to ensure basic amenities throughout the state, he added.Jakhar issued a stern warning to officers in the state government to fall in line or face action, saying Captain Amarinder was giving due time to all officials to pull up their sleeves and follow the policies of the new government in the interest of the state and its people.
To a question about sand shortage in the state, Jakhar said sand will be made available to the people at an affordable price with the implementation of the new mining policy, which will bring about transparency in the business, leading to increase in revenue generation for the government.Talking about the state’s agricultural crisis, Jakhar said all those found guilty in the food grain scam would be brought to the book. The sentiments of the farmers will be respected at all costs and all efforts would be made to ease their burden, he added.In response to another question, Jakhar said the real face of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had been exposed and people were feeling cheated.The PPCC president said the failure of the Akalis was evident in the low attendance at the Sangat Darshans of SAD leaders. He himself would go directly to the party workers and lead them towards a more holistic relationship with the government at one end and the people at the other, Jakhar added.