Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy CM today said that Central Bureau of Investigation was providing 24X7 services to sustain Congress led minority UPA Government in power by showing a stick of false cases to Maya, Mulayam and Lalu and other unwilling allies. Mr. Badal after inducting Mr. Ravinder Singh Babaal, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary of Congress government into the fold of SAD, was answering a question regarding observation of Supreme Court castigating CBI after dismissing the case of disproportionate assets against BSP Supremo Ms. Mayawati. He said that even the Apex Court has gone to the extent of describing CBI as a ‘caged parrot’ and asked the Union Government to submit report regarding granting autonomy to the premier investigating agency. Mr. Badal said that after reluctantly agreeing to provide partial autonomy to CBI, now Congress led UPA Government has sought to withdraw that affidavit, realizing the fact that by giving autonomy to CBI they would not be able to use it for brow beating their allies in submission. Mr. Badal said that everybody knows that if Maya, Mulayam, Lalu were providing support to Congress led UPA minority Government, it was just because of false CBI cases against them. Advocating total autonomy for the CBI, Mr. Badal said that total autonomy to premier investigating agency was imperative to safeguard the democratic structure of our country.
Lashing out at Union Government for making mockery of martyrdom of five brave soldiers of Indian Army in an ambush by Pakistani soldiers in Poonch sector, Mr. Badal said that the country was suffering disgrace due to its indecisive leadership. He said that only a decisive leadership and strong Prime Minister can restore the lost glory of the country.On being asked regarding exodus of Congress leaders towards Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr. Badal said that no mass based leader worth name would like to work in a party that has hollow leadership. Mr. Badal said that Congress leaders have understood the fact that it was only SAD-BJP that understands the aspirations of grass root workers and crafts the policies according to the actual requirements of the poor. He said that Congress leaders were getting fed up of inaccessibility of their leadership that was remaining confined to five star hotels whereas in Shiromani Akali Dal, doors of Chief Minister and President Shiromani Akali Dal remain open to every worker for 24 hours and they are given due regards by the party. Mr. Badal said that moreover Akali Dal does not have high command sitting in a glass house without any access to the people. He quipped that, “here power to every worker of the party flows directly from 128 KV Power Grid, whereas in Congress every worker has to resort to a ‘kundi connection’ to get ‘share’ of their power”.
Promising total facelift of Punjab in next three years, Mr. Badal said that he has already given final touches to city specific plans of all the cities and tenders for execution of these works would be out next month. He said that when he announces a project, it is done only after finalizing the project and tying up its financials.Welcoming Mr. Ravinder Singh Sandhu Babbal in SAD fold, Mr. Badal said that this party gives respect every citizen and his views would be incorporated while framing the development of this region.On a question regarding opening up of Hussainiwala Border, Mr. Badal said that Congress leadership was unnecessarily creating hurdles in this regard.
Giving details regarding expansion of Atta Daal scheme from 15 lakh families to 30 lakh families, launching of Scholarship scheme for meritorious students of Rs. 30000, employability allowance of Rs. 1000 to unemployed graduate youth, Rs. 30,000 cashless insurance to all 30 lakh Atta Daal families, Mr. Badal said that we have focused our energy in fulfilling promises made to the people in elections. He said that Punjab Government has chalked a plan under which Rs. 1700 crore would be expended for the repair of village link roads besides linking of all cities and town with 4/6 lane roads with a project worth Rs. 40000 crore.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, MP, Joginder Singh Jindu MLA, Sukhpal Singh Nannu, former CPS, Vardev Singh Mann, Senior Akali leader.