Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress candidate from Amritsar Capt Amarinder Singh today said that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had always exploited the sentiments of Punjabis for personal gains. He said, it was his personal greed that led Punjab going down in economy and development while personal fortunes of Badal went on multiplying.Addressing a series of public rallies in villages Shukrachak and Vishambarpura in Attari assembly segment here today, he urged people to ask Mr Badal what was his contribution towards Punjab. “From day one he has practised the politics of deceit and fraud and betrayal and backstabbed all those who supported and stood by him”, he said, while pointing out, how he let down senior party colleagues and leaders. “He just can’t look beyond his own family”, he remarked.
He asked the farmers to compare Badal’s regime with his own between 2002 and 2007 and decide for themselves who was better for them. “When was it that you got regular free power for eight hours for your tubewells and when was it that your crops were lifted within 24 hours?” he asked, while pointing out how much they had to suffer under the Akalis when they don’t get even two hour power supply and how they have to wait in the mandis to sell their crops.The former Chief Minister also warned the Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia asking him to desist from his arm-twisting and intimidating tactics. He said, the time is not that far when the law will catch up with him and he will have to account for all his sins of omission and commission. “Enough is enough”, he told Majithia, while adding, “won’t let you run amuck for long”.
Capt Amarinder expressed concern over the spread of drug addiction particularly in the border belt. He said, the drug trafficking was also patronised by the Akalis particularly Bikram Majithia who had been named in the charge-sheet related to dismissed DSP and drug smuggler Jagdish Bhola.Appealing people to vote for him he urged them, “make your decision carefully and think who can be with you and who can understand your problems; someone who has lived among you are someone who has been parachuted from Delhi just for the elections”.Among others present on the occasion included Tarsem DC, Gurjeet Aujla and others.