Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people to teaching a lesson to the Congress led UPA alliance during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections for its anti-poor and anti-Indian economic policies that has worsen the lives of our countrymen. Addressing a mammoth gathering during a political conference on the occasion of historic ‘Mela Chhappar’ at Village Chhappar, in Ludhiana district, Badal said that he was fully confident that NDA would form next government at the Centre as the countdown of Congress had already begun, people were fully annoyed with the anti-poor policies and programs of the UPA government. He said that autocratic style of functioning of Congress was totally against our democratic values and even its alliance parties were also leaving Congress one by one. Moreover during the current regime of the Congress, social problems like Unemployment, poverty, inflation and illiteracy had increased manifolds, added Badal. Emphasizing on the cordial Centre-State relations for the prosperity of the country, Badal said that the agrarian state like Punjab had suffered a tremendous loss because of Centre’s anti Punjab and anti farmer policies that had shattered the state’s economy. He also criticized the Centre for not empowering the states in the true spirit of federalism, for the fulfillment of its politically motivated entrusts.Badal asserted that SAD-BJP government had fulfilled each and every promise that they had made with the people of Punjab during the Assembly elections 2007 in sectors like school & higher education, health, skill development, employment generation, sports and many other. The promise to make Punjab a surplus state in power sector would also be fulfilled shortly with the completion of three thermal power plants at Rajapura, Talwandi Sabo and Gowindwal Sahib. President SAD Youth Wing and Revenue and Information & Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia in his address said that Centre-State relations could play a vital role for the development of any state, unfortunately this factor was missing in the case of Punjab. The step-motherly treatment of Center had always dragged the state's economy, added Majithia. Quoting an example that after gripping the complete tax earnings of the states, the Center only return 30% of that to the states for development works and keep 70% for its own utilization, which was totally unjust. Majithia said that the Congress party, which ruled the country most of the time during 65 years after independence, completely ruined the economy and development process in the country and failed in all aspects. Referring to the development plans of SAD government he said that SAD-BJP government was fully committed for the overall development of the state. He called upon the people to vote for the installation of NDA government at center during the next Lok Sabha elections, so that the state could gain maximum from Center for the development and prosperity of the Punjab.
Later, replying a question of a media person that if NDA voted to power in next Lok Sabha election, would it establish federal structure in the country, Badal said that certainly it would, as NDA alliance parties were also in the favour of establishing true federal structure in the country with more powers to the state in accordance with our constitution. Replying on the issue of FDI in retail, Badal said that he had already made it clear that SAD was not in the favour of FDI in retail sectors, as it would directly affect the domestic retail business and also could not provide any long term benefit to the small and medium farmers of the state. Earlier MLA (Dakha), Manpreet Singh Ayali welcomed the Chief Minister and raised certain development issues of the constituency, for which Chief Minister assured him to sort out these issues soon. Prominent amongst those who spoke on the occasion included Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, SAD spokesman Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, PWD Minster Sharanjit Singh Dhillon , Chairman SSS Board Santa Singh Umedpurari, MLA Amargarh Iqbal Singh Jhoonda, MLA Jagroan S R Kaler, Ranjeit Singh Talwandi, Bikram Singh Khalsa, Rajinder Singh Khanjla. Besides, Advisor to CM Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Darshan Singh Shivalik, Jagjit Singh Talwandi, Member SGPC Jagjit Singh Garcha & many other SAD leaders attended the function