The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and President Shiromani Akali Dal Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today ridiculed thecharge of Congress Party on alleged hacking of EVMs in 2012 Vidhan Sabha Elections and termed their story as a ‘sour grape’ story.Talking to media persons before presiding over the conference of All India Motor Transport Congress meet on ‘Road Safety-Challenges Ahead’ here today Mr. Badal, accompanied by Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, said that he has no objection if Congress Party could convince Election Commission of India to use EVMs manufactured according to the specifications of 10 Janpath in the Moga By-election or go for reintroduction of paper ballot because no force under the sun can save Congress from the overwhelming anger of the people. He said that whether it was Vidhan Sabha elections or Gujarat elections or recently concluded Gurdwara Election in Delhi, the People of the country have given a strong mandate to NDA and its constituents punishing Congress Party for multi lakh crore scams and record price rise hike of all essential commodities. Mr. Badal said that the result of Moga by-poll was a foregone conclusion and Congress Party citing defects in EVMs was looking for excuses to justify their sure shot drubbing in Moga. He said that if Congress was so confident of its victory in Moga why every leader was rushing to Manpreet with a begging bowl. When asked about Congress insistence on deployment of Central Forces, Mr. Badal said that let Congress seek deployment of Indian Army or US Army or UN Force, they cannot stop electorate in exercising their mandate in favour of SAD-BJP Government.
On the question of likely Chief of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Mr. Badal said that there is laid down procedure of nominations and cooption after which meeting of full house of committee would be called and that would elect its leader and this process would take 15 to 20 days. When asked about likely enquiries against Sarna’s for misappropriating committee’s money and resources, Mr. Badal said that the new Committee would take a call on this.
Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government was laying special stress on Road Safety and Punjab Police in coordination with District Local Bodies has drawn up a coordinated plan for improving road engineering, installation of signage, construction of over bridges, Railway Over Bridges and Under Bridges, deployment of special electronic devices to check over speed etc. Mr. Badal informed that the Punjab Government has finalised a plan to declare Amritsar and Ludhiana safe cities and coordinated plans are afoot to achieve this.
On the question of Modi as a Prime Minister, Mr. Badal said that National Democratic Alliance has to take a collective call on the Prime Ministerial candidate and we are fully with NDA on this issue.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bal Malkit Singh, President, All India Motor Transport Congress, Mr. Kultaran Singh Atwal, Vice President All India Motor Transport Congress, Mr. Manjit Singh GK, President Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi honoured Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal by offering a siropa and a sword. Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion included Mr. Veer Singh Lopoke, Chairman District Planning Committee, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, MLA Attari, Mr. Jodh Singh Samra, Member SGPC.