Slamming the former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for misleading the people, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that Captain has been rejected by the people time and again as his party has lost two elections under his leadership.Interacting with the media persons after paying tribute to Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru here today, the Chief Minister said that political class must observe decency but unfortunately Amarinder was completely lacking it. He said that the misleading and baseless statements of Captain hardly have any impact on the people. Mr. Badal said that Congress has lost two successive elections just because of wrong style of politics pursued by Captain Amarinder Singh.
Taking strong exception on the misleading statement of Captain Amarinder Singh regarding possibility of some Akali MLAs shifting to Congress, the Chief Minister said that this statement was nothing more than a figment of imagination of the former Chief Minister. He quipped that Captain had been making such claims since long but no one from SAD had ever joined the Congress. “Captain is habitual of making such false claims so there is hardly any need to pay heed towards it” added Mr. Badal.Seeking the intervention of Government of India for resolving the issue between sugar growers and Mill owners, the Chief Minister said that state governments have limited resources at their disposal due to which centre's support was necessary in such issues. Mr. Badal said that he had asked his Principal Secretary to solve this issue and consequently he had held meetings with the farmers and Mill owners. “I am hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon by finding an amicable solution”, he added.
Asked to comment on the protest by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, the Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that she had chosen the sacred day of Independence for this motive. He said that Dr. Sidhu was like her daughter and he had already liberally allocated funds for the development of her constituency. But, Mr. Badal said that the step taken the Chief Secretary Parliamentary on this august occasion, when the entire country was paying tribute to its freedom fighters, was totally undesirable and unwarranted.On the statement of Dr Sidhu regarding ties of SAD-BJP alliance, the Chief Minister said that the alliance was everlasting and firm. He said that it was the leadership of BJP to decide about the statements of Dr Sidhu. “Our alliance with BJP is very strong as it has been cemented with mutual trust and confidence” added Mr. Badal.
Clearly refuting the possibility of any central investigation in Dina Nagar terror attack, the Chief Minister categorically said that there was no need for it as the Punjab Police was fully capable of doing this work. He said that by successfully thwarting the attack Punjab Police had already proved its mettle. Mr. Badal said that even the valour and dedication of our Police force was duly recognized by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh who patted Punjab Police for its bravery.Earlier addressing an impressive gathering during the state level function to mark the observance of martyrdom day of great revolutionary Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, who laid down his life during the liberation of Goa from Portuguese regime here today at his native village, the Chief Minister said that the Punjabis inherited the spirit of sacrifice from the great Sikh Gurus who made supreme sacrifices against the tyranny, oppression and injustice. Mr. Badal said that this legacy of sacrifice perpetuated from one generation to other and was one of the major factors reflective of Punjab’s enormous contribution in the national freedom struggle.
The Chief Minister said that it was on record that Punjabis despite having two percent of country’s total population had made huge sacrifices in terms of life imprisonment, capital punishment and even exile in captivity (Kalepaani). He said that several watershed movements associated with the Indian freedom struggle were spearheaded from Punjab by the valiant patriots and freedom fighters. Mr. Badal said that the enormous contribution of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Lala Rajpat Rai and several others would continue to inspire our younger generations to imbibe the spirit of patriotism amongst them.On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced to provide 24-hour uninterrupted domestic power supply to even single household in Deras/Dhanis of the state. He said that earlier atleast three or more households falling in Deras and Dhanis of the villages were covered under this scheme but now for the convenience of people every single household in deras/ dhanis would be supplied power supply on urban pattern by the state government.
The Chief Minister also listed the revolutionary steps taken by state government in field of Education, Healthcare and preservation of cultural heritage. He also announced that Rs 1700 crore would be spent for strengthening road infra structure in rural areas. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that major steps have been taken by the state government to provide basic civic amenities in urban and rural areas of the state.Earlier, the Chief Minister paid tribute to Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru and felicitated his family members.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Jathedar Tota Singh, Lok Sabha MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, former Union Minister Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, former MLA Mr. Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Chairman Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpuri and President BKU Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal.