The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that with DMK withdrawing the support from UPA and Mulayam Singh Yadav led Samajwadi Party breathing down their neck after being branded as “terrorist”, the early elections of Lok Sabha were inevitable. Mr. Badal was speaking to media in office taking ceremony of Mr. Hira Singh Gabria as Chairman of District Planning Committee Ludhiana. Mr. Badal said that with Congress led UPA Government reducing to minority, the passage of Union Budget in Parliament was also in doubt. He said that Congress led UPA Government was in ICU and day to day supply of oxygen cylinders can not keep this brain dead government alive for long. He said that it is happening for the first time that Union Government has to exercise bargain daily to survive on the Floor of the House. The Deputy Chief Minister said that Shiromani Akali Dal and its alliance partner Bhartiya Janata Party were fully prepared for early Lok Sabha elections and they have already started the exercise of energizing their grass root cadre to face the ensuing electoral challenge. Mr. Badal expressed confidence that people of the state have already made up their mind to decimate Congress Party from the electoral politics of the state and SAD-BJP combine would comfortably win all 13 seats with record margin. Condemning the anti-democratic attitude of Congress Party in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr. Badal said that never in the history of Vidhan Sabha people have witnessed such kind of violent behaviour by opposition party that has brought disgrace to the highest institution of democracy. Mr. Badal said that the people, who have elected Congress MLAs were feeling dismayed that instead of raising their issues in the Vidhan Sabha, for which they have been elected, they have resorted to street shows. Regretting the policy of confrontation initiated by Congress Party, Mr. Badal said that competitive politics of confrontation between Bajwa and Amarinder has put the whole democratic system in turmoil. He said that he was surprised by single point agenda of confrontation espoused by new PPCC Chief and his call of boycott of SAD-BJP Ministers would have long term consequences on the smooth working of democratic system.
Unveiling the development agenda for next three years, Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP Government has faith in the positive politics and development works initiated by this government would change the face of Punjab in next three years. Mr. Badal said that with Rs. 20000 crore plan for Road Connectivity, inauguration of two domestic airports and one international airport, massive investment in Industry and Real Estate, Punjab is all set for total makeover in development front. The Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab is all set to unveil new Industrial Investment Policy and Real Estate Policy by the end of March and ensuing Cabinet meeting would clear these two policies.
When asked about Property Tax, Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP Government never wanted to impose any tax on the people of Punjab but the Congress led UPA Government arm-twisted the Punjab Government to impose Property Tax as a pre-requisite to release JNRUNM Grants and withheld the Rs. 1418 crore grant last year to force state to impose this tax. He said that a three member committee has been constituted to ensure fair and just formula for imposing this tax. Expressing satisfaction over Mr. Hira Singh Gabria assuming the charge of Chairman of District Planning Committee, Mr. Badal said that under his leadership, Ludhiana would witness accelerated growth. Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion included Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister, Mr. Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Advisor to CM, Mr. Ranjit Singh Dhillon, MLA, Former Minister Mr. Satpal Gosain and others.