Either we are waiting for a miracle to happen or doomsday is near, said Vijay Inder Singla, the congress party candidate for Sangrur Lok Sabha seat, at an election meeting in Bhawanigarh today accusing the Badal –BJP Govt of inaction for letting drugs flow freely in Punjab. He said that Punjab Govt. does not have any concrete strategy to insulate Punjabis from drug abuse and Govt. has completely surrendered to the drug mafia. However, at regular intervals, Badal Govt. dutifully blames the Central Govt. for the drugs infiltrating from Pakistan border but never engages itself in a dialogue with the Centre to work out an enforcement strategy.
He was here to open his election office on the day of first Navratra of Chetra and was accompanied by a number of senior party leaders. Singla questioned the Punjab Govt. on its sincerity towards fighting drug menace and remarked that how many times Badal Govt. has asked for assistance and a joint strategy to fight drug war from the Central Govt. whereas for seeking development funds they have approached the Central Govt several times. Singla remarked that Central Govt. would be more than willing to assist the State on this issue which is ruining the Young generation provided the Punjab Govt. acknowledges that there is a problem and seeks help. Vijay Inder Singla remarked that a coordinated action from State, national and international agencies is required which is lacking today and Badal Govt. should stop playing politics on this issue.
Singla also stated that about 18 months ago there was a big hue and cry when Rahul Gandhi visiting Punjab had remarked that an estimated 70% Youth are into drugs and Badal – BJP Govt. made all noises to deny this but all of us now acknowledge this as a reality today.Further addressing a party workers meeting at the time of setting up of the party's election office in Bhawanigarh today Vijay Inder Singla said that he was ashamed that a rich State like Punjab is having a debt of more than 1 Lakh crore today and Akali – BJP Govt. with their directionless policies is responsible for this fate. He said that today we are faced with a situation where there is nobody to save the public leave aside development as the Government itself is selling and pledging public properties for running day to day expenses.
Secretary General of the Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP), Baldev Singh Mann who is a former minister and a close lieutenant of senior Punjab leader Surjit Singh Barnala also addressed the gathering and remarked that SAD-BJP candidate has lost its credibility among the masses and now they are planning to make inroads by the force of money and liquor and urged the people to vote in favour of development carried out by Vijay Inder Singla in a short span.
Former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal also elaborated on extensive railway and hospital initiatives taken by Congress MP Vijay Inder Singla in Sangrur which has won people’s heart and will make him victorious and remarked that any highhandedness of Akali workers will not be tolerated. Surinder Pal Singh Sibia, senior vice president Punjab Congress and former MLA also hit back at Akalis and urged the people to vote in favour of Singla. Others who also spoke on this occasion included Bibi Roop Kaur Bagrian, district congress chief, former minister Jasbir Singh, Rahul Inder Singh Sidhu – son of Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Darshan Singh Kangar, Subhash Grover, Kanta Kanthla amongst others.