Parkash Singh Badal today said that Congress leader Sunil Jakhar's political gimmickry over Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue could not absolve his party from committing a heinous crime against state by conceiving and executing this plan to deprive state of its water.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Garhshankar assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that he fails to understand that why before indulging in such tantrums the Congress leaders forget that they were the main culprits behind this sinister move. He said that Congress government had planned SYL to rob the waters of state, Congress Prime Minister had performed its ground breaking ceremony and the then state Congress government had approved it but Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) opposed it tooth and nail. “Jakhar is now ‘shedding crocodile tears on issue while forgetting that incumbent state Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh had welcomed Indira Gandhi to lay foundation of this canal in 1980s”, added Mr Badal.
Taking the opposition to cudgels, the Chief Minister said that the opposition parties were unnecessary making a hue and cry on pro people exercise of Sangat Darshan. He said that it was a well known fact that Sangat Darshan was a transparent program aimed at ensuring the well being of common man. Mr. Badal said that no one could ever deter him from carrying out this flagship program of SAD-BJP alliance.Earlier addressing the public gatherings during Sangat Darshan at village Khuralgarh, Acchalpur, Binewal and others, the Chief Minister slammed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership for misleading the people on emotive issues. He said AAP was in reality a 'flock of enemies of state’ in the garb of Aam Aadmi or common man. Mr. Badal exhorted the people to be vigilant of nefarious designs of these people and support the SAD-BJP alliance, which was true custodian of rights of people.The Chief Minister further said that not only this but like the Congress party, AAP was also suffering from the anti-Punjab syndrome which has been exposed by the policies pursued by it in Delhi. Citing the examples, he said that AAP government in Delhi had discontinued teaching of Punjabi language in schools, didn't observed a holiday on sacred Baisakhi festival, demolished the Piau sahib outside Gurdwara Sisganjh Sahib and above all have submitted an affidavit against the state in Apex court on SYL issue. Mr. Badal said that these people were working overtime against the interests of the state.
Slamming the Congress party for hatching conspiracies to ruin the state , the Chief Minister said that Congress was the enemy number one state and it has always pursued the policy of divide and rule with the sole aim of grabbing power in the state. He said that no Punjabi could ever forget that this party has deprived the state of its capital, Punjabi speaking areas, legitimate share in river waters besides irrelevantly meddling in political, economic, social and even religious affairs of state. Mr. Badal further said that the Congress has ruined the agriculture of state and broken the backbone of once prosperous industry of state.Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that the state government was working on a master plan to provide potable drinking water and Irrigation facilities to the residents of 'beet' or semi hilly areas of state. Mr. Badal said that every effort would be made to provide water in every nook and corner of state. “No Chief Minister in past has ever bothered to come to this area but we are committed for ensuring holistic development of this area and will leave no stone unturned for this noble cause”, he added.Meanwhile acceding to demand of local residents of village Acchalpur, the Chief Minister announced to accord heritage status to annual mela organized in memory of Baba Balak Nath ji.The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Jathedar Surinder Singh Bhullewal Rathan, his Advisor Mr. Tikshan Sud, Secretary Water Supply and Sanitation Mr. AK Sinha, Secretary Irrigation Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, his Joint Special Principal Secretary Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Anandita Mitra and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. KS Chahal.