Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that keeping aside their political affiliations and ideologies, all the political parties of the country should join their hands to solve the major problems being confronted by the nation today. Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the ‘Elders Retreat Home’ here today, the Chief Minister said that rising above their vested interests the political parties across the board should sink their differences and unite for the public cause. He said that it was the need of the hour to work in unison manner for ensuring the progress of the country on one hand and for facilitating the common man on the other. However Mr. Badal said that for the sake of scoring brownie points in the media some of the political parties were indulging in mudslinging against each other, which was not at all desirable. The Chief Minister further said that the wise voters of the country hardly get swayed away by the malicious propaganda of political parties and it was on record that they have rejected the politics of hatred and vendetta, time and again. He said that the politics of vendetta was not in the interest of any person or country due to which the political leaders should desist from indulging in it. “Throughout my political career I had been the votary of morality in politics and have refrained from using foul language against any political opponent” added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister also said that Punjab being the land of Gurus, Saints, Seers and Prophets had ever remained epitome of communal harmony, peace, brotherhood and amity. He said that the great Sikh Gurus had given the message of humanity and universal brotherhood to the people adding that they had also taught the people to fight against injustice, tyranny and oppression. Mr. Badal said that the laying down of the foundation of Sri Harmandir Sahib by a Muslim saint Sain Mian Meer and supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur against the religious bigotry were glaring examples of love and respect given by Sikh Gurus to all religions.The Chief Minister further said that the state government was following the footsteps of Sikh Gurus for ensuring the well being of all the sections of society. He further said that being a flag bearer of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in the state, the Punjab government was committed to upheld at every cost. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. GS Babbehali, former Minister Jathedar Sucha Singh Langah, his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu and Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema.