Chandigarh: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon Congress Leadership in the state to ensure attendance of all Legislators of their Party in the special Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on May 3 to oppose the imposition of Wealth Tax on agriculture land around urban areas, as this tax would sound the death knell of all farmers and of millions of others dependent on agriculture related professions. The Chief Minister spoke to the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Sunil Jakhar and former Chief Minister Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bathal over the phone urging them to join the state government’s efforts to save the farmers and the economy from “certain death”. The PPCC president Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa could not be contacted immediately because of his engagements in Parliament Session in Delhi. Chief Minister also written separate letter to top Congress Leaders in the State to request cooperation in the Punjab Government’s drive against the imposition of Wealth Tax on Agriculture Land in any form. Mr. Badal has asked the Congress leaders to oppose the imposition of this tax on the floor of parliament also. “This is no time for political one-upmanship. This is indeed a historic hour and history and future generations will not forgive us if we are found lacking in moral courage and honest convictions and commitment to the welfare of our people. I am sure the Congress party would not stand in the way of the justice for the poor and suffering people who are going to be fatally by the Wealth Tax move. I request the Congress Leaders to ensure the presence of each and every member of the CLP in the session,” the Chief Minister told the PPCC leaders. Mr. Badal said that far from being an issue fit for scoring political brownie points, the Wealth Tax on agriculture has become a question of life and death not only for the farmers of the state but also for millions of others engaged in agriculture-driven professions and commercial activity. We must act with statesmanship and demonstrate that the political class of the state would not let our poor and beleaguered people, especially the peasantry, farm labour, the arhtiyas and small and medium traders engaged in agriculture related works. The Chief Minister made an impassioned plea for a united fight against the center’s decision on imposition of Wealth Tax on agriculture lands, saying that the tax would prove to be the death-warrant for the entire economy especially for farmers and farming-related professions.