Terming the ongoing chain hunger strike by the Congress leaders as a 'political stunt', the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that in dearth of any tangible issue against the state government, the Congress leaders were resorting to such gimmickries.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of a function regarding assuming the charge of office by newly appointed Chairman of Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC) Mr. Avtar Singh Hit here at Udhyog Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that the state Congress leaders were politicizing the revelations made by a person who has been accused of a heinous crime of drug trafficking. He said that a shrewd criminal like Jagdish Bhola could name any person just to save his skin but it was unfortunate that the Congress leaders were trying to take political mileage out of it. Mr. Badal said that every step in this multi crore drug case was being taken after the meticulous enquiry by the state Police and even the Director General of Police of the state was personally monitoring the entire case, so there was hardly any need for handing over this enquiry to the CBI.
Reiterating that the Industrial concessions given by the Centre to other neighboring states were deliberately aimed at giving a fatal blow to the industry of the state, the Chief Minister said that they would not be a mute spectator to this grave injustice meted out by the state and soon a massive protest would be lodged in Chandigarh. He said that the Shiromani Akali Dal would also raise this issue in the coming session of the Parliament besides giving memorandum to the Union government over this issue. "The Congress has a shady past of discriminating with Punjab but this is the height of their apathy towards the state and we will resist the fresh move of centre by lodging our protest at the highest level" added Mr. Badal.
Replying to a query regarding the protest lodged by Delhi Chief Minister Mr. Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said that rather than protesting against the Union government after a spat with an ASI of Delhi Police, the entire Ministry of Delhi should have concentrated on other vital issues of larger public importance.Hailing the newly appointed Chairman of PSIDC, the Chief Minister described Mr. Hit as a committed worker of the party, who has served the party in several capacities. He hoped that under able guidance of Mr. Hit the PSIDC would scale new heights in promoting Industrial development in the state.Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, former Minister and Chairman of District Planning Committee Ludhiana Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, former MLA and Chairman of District Planning Committee Kapurthala Mr. Sarabjeet Singh Makkar, Delhi MLA Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee Mr. Manjeet Singh GK and Director Industries Mr. Vikas Partap.