Cautioning the people to beware of malicious propaganda of 'seasonal birds' and 'proven enemies of the state', the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that these leaders were indulging in political mimicry to attain power in state. Addressing the public gathering during Sangat Darshan in Lambi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that the interests of state were safe only in hands of SAD-BJP alliance, which was devoted fully for all round development of the state and prosperity of its people. He said that due to ensuing assembly polls a number of 'seasonal birds' have ended their period of hibernation and were indulging in all sort of political tantrums to attain political power in state. Mr. Badal said that while one such bird was donning the cap of Aam Aadmi another one- the Congress, which was a known enemy of state, was experimenting new methods to woo the people. The Chief Minister exhorted the people to judge these people by their actions rather than words. Mr. Badal reminded the people that like chameleons, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership has been changing its colors on issue pertaining to the state adding that the interests of the state were not safe in their hands. Likewise, he said that the Congress party has a notorious past of meting out a step motherly treatment to the state. Mr. Badal asked the people that could anyone forgive this party who has denied state of its capital, legitimate share of river waters and Punjabi speaking areas adding that hands were drenched with gruesome murder of innocent Sikhs during anti Sikh Carnage in several parts of country and Operation Blue star. Reminding the people of glorious legacy of Shiromani Akali Dal, the Chief Minister said that the party has always remained on forefront to secure the interests of the state.
He said that Akali Dal has relentlessly struggled to oppose any sort of injustice with Punjab and Punjabis besides ensuring holistic development of state. "We are the true sympathizers of the state and are always ready to make any sacrifice for safeguarding the interests of the state" added Mr. Badal. Later on Interacting with the media persons at the residence of Chairman of Punjab Agro Food grains Corporation Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, the Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that the opposition was unnecessarily politicizing each and every issue in the state. Mr. Badal said that healthy criticism was always welcome but criticism for the sake of criticism should be avoided. He bemoaned that rather than being a war of ideologies, the politics has today become an arena of mudslinging, which was highly condemnable.Listing the major initiatives taken by the state government to protect the interests of the farmers, the Chief Minister said that the state government has started first of its kind scheme to provide interests free crop loans worth Rs 50000 to the farmers. He said that during the last more than nine years the state government has provided free power to farmers worth Rs 5000 crore annually otherwise their problems would have accentuated manifolds on account of tube well bills. Mr. Badal further said that in another historic decision it has been decided that all the farmers would be provided a health insurance cover of Rs.50,000 and an insurance of Rs.5 lac in case of accidental death or incapacitation of head of family.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Secretary Water Supply Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma, Joint Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Sumit Jaranghal.