Taking strong exception on the misleading statement of Lok Sabha MP Captain Amarinder Singh regarding resentment in cadres of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that in fact the former Chief Minister was himself frustrated from his own party leadership.Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Baba Bakala assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister asked Captain to stop worrying about cadres of SAD as they were strongly united for strengthening the party. He said that the statement regarding the resentment in Akali cadres was merely figment of imagination of the former Chief Minister who was violating the policy and program of his own party just for his personal interest. "We are fully united to serve the people of state unlike Congress where every group is having its own leader", added Mr. Badal. Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP alliance was firm and everlasting and the rumors regarding ripples in it were just a creation of media. He said that the alliance has proved very fruitful for ensuring progress of the state and prosperity of its people. Describing Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Navjot Kaur Sidhu as her daughter, Mr. Badal said that all her grievances would be redressed.
Welcoming the opening of academic session in Indian Institute of Management (IIM) from today, the Chief Minister said that it would give a major boost to education in the state. He said that the allegations regarding attempts to shift this project to some other district were completely baseless as the Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley had sanctioned this project along with Post Graduate institute of Horticulture Research for holy city in his budgetary speech. "I express my gratitude for every worker and leader of SAD-BJP alliance who have ensured that this project starts in Amritsar", added Mr. Badal.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister, while reiterating the firm commitment of state government to stamp out curse of drugs from the state, said that the state government has declared a war against drugs by cutting its supply line.
Likewise, he said that a network of Drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers have been set up across the state to detoxify the drug addicts and enable them to live their life with dignity and pride. “We are committed to eliminate this curse from the state and no stone is being left unturned to accomplish our mission”, added Mr. Badal.Earlier addressing the gatherings at village Chajjalwandi, Rattangarh, Khilchian and Sudhaar Rajput villages, the Chief Minister, while highlighting the significance of Sangat Darshan programme, said that it was the first of its kind program initiated by any state government to redress the grievances of general public by virtually bringing the government at their doorsteps. He said ever since his first term as Chief Minister he had accorded top priority to this flagship program for solving the problems of people. Mr. Badal said that the program was very successful as it resolved the long pending issues of the general public on one hand and helped in judging the performance of the officers/officials on the other.The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Mr. Manjeet Singh Mianwind, Chairman Mr. Gurwinder Singh Ruby, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat.