Unfazed by speculations of change of guard in the state Congress leadership, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that Shiromani Akal Dal (SAD) was least bothered about Lok Sabha MP Captain Amarinder Singh or any other person taking over the command of the Congress.Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Khadoor Sahib Assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that leadership change was the internal matter of the Congress, whosoever took command of the party made hardly any difference to the SAD. Quipping over the probability of Captain taking over the reign of Congress, he said that how Captain Amarinder Singh could impact the bright prospects of SAD, which was fighting the next Assembly elections solely on the plank of peace, development and prosperity. It was on the record despite Captain Amarinder Singh being the PPCC Chief twice and CM once, what tangible contribution he had made for the overall development and growth of the state. “For us every Congress President is alike so we are least concerned about it” added Mr. Badal.
However, the Chief Minister hoped that the new Congress President would work towards promoting the ethos of peace, communal harmony and amity in the state. He said that it was the need of the hour in the prevailing scenario in the state.Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to help the cotton farmers affected by the pest attack in Malwa region, the Chief Minister said that the state government was already disbursing a compensation of Rs 640 crore to the affected farmers and Rs 64 crore to the farm labours. He said that the process of disbursement of compensation was underway smoothly adding that not even a single complaint had been received so far in this regard.Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the state government has started a new scheme called ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme’ for providing free pilgrimage to sacred cities of Sri Nanded Sahib, Varanasi, Katra (Mata Vaishno Devi) and Ajmer Sharif, under which free train service would be organized to these cities for the people from Punjab besides ensuring other logistic facilities to pilgrims free of cost.
Reiterating that there was no political motive behind the Sadbhawna rallies being organized by the state government, the Chief Minister said that the sole aim of holding these rallies was to peace brotherhood, peace and harmony in the state. He said that the state government was spreading a message of peace and tranquility by organizing these rallies in the state.Earlier addressing the gathering in village Kalaah, Kang, Banian and Jahangir, the Chief Minister exhorted the people to foil any attempt aimed at pushing the state in black days of militancy. He said that the state had suffered a lot during the turbulent times when more than 21,000 innocent people had lost their lives adding that Punjab lagged behind in the pace of prosperity and development in those days. Mr. Badal said that some forces with vested interests were striving hard to bring those unfortunate days back in the state but the SAD-BJP alliance with the active support and cooperation of people of state would thwart any such attempt.
Exhorting the people to devote a single day of their life for the cause of maintaining communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in the state by attending Sadbhwana rallies in their respective districts, the Chief Minister said that huge public participation in these rallies should prevent the ugly forces, envy of peace and development of Punjab, from again raising their heads. He said sparing a day for Sadbhawna rally would act as a catalyst for promoting peace and development in the state by sending a stern message to the divisive forces in the state.On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Sangat Darshan was a flagship program of the state, whose sole motive was to give boost to development in the state by virtually bringing the government at the doorsteps of people. He said that there was no political agenda of this program as it was totally aimed at the welfare of the people.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Lok Sabha MP Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Chairman District Planning Committee Mr. Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma, Inspector General of Police Mr. Lok Nath Angra, Deputy Inspector General of Police Kunwar Vijay Pratap and Deputy Commissioner Mr. BS Dhaliwal.