Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal hit hard at former Chief Minister Congress candidate for Amritsar Lok Sabha seat Captain Amarinder Singh for his provocative and factually distorted statements though which Captain is trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of state.
He was addressing a mega rally, organized by Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia in support of SAD-BJP candidate and senior national leader Arun Jaitley at Grain Market in Majitha, where the people from the constituency thronged to support their leaders in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls.
Badal said he respects each and every one but Captain is surpassing the limits but the people will give him a be-fitting reply as the have done earlier in various elections and Captain will be routed out in the Lok Sabha polls by losing to Jaitley by a huge margin. Badal also hailed efforts of Majithia for organizing a such a large and meticulously planned rally and said the gathering show that SAD-BJP candidate would bag the seat with the flying colours.
Badal also blamed Congress high command which has sent him to add salt to the old wounds. Blaming the Congress for playing the politics of divide and rule, he said they have brought peace and tranquility to Punjab but Congress does not want the peace to prevail. He said during the NDA rule under Atal Behari Vajpayee, Punjab many development projects including Bathinda Refinery and even Inder Kumar Gujral during his tenure as Prime Minister wrote off Punjab’s debts but the Congress has always adopted a policy of discrimination against our state. He said there were six ministers in Centre during UPA rule but they could not bring even one major project for the home state.
``All these ministers proved to be totally useless’’, said Badal. He added that while Jaitley would be the Voice of Punjab in Centre, he would bring projects and development to Amritsar and other parts of the state. He said Captain who was reluctant to contest the Lok Sabha seat was forcefully sent and now he is baffled and issuing misleading, distorting statements. He said Congress leaders who had never been available to the people are now seeing votes by be-fooling the people but the public is wise enough and understand their evil deigns.
Resorting to his aggressive tone Bikram Singh Majithia warned that the Congress leaders and MLAs were welcome to campaign and canvass in Majitha constituency but if they created any mischief, they will be dealt with heavy handedness. ``Amarinder seems to be bitten by the Majithia Fobia. I want to tell Captain that the people of Majha shower love and affection but they do not tolerate the threats and can deal with those who issue threats’’, said Majithia. He said Captain’s rail had been derailed at many a times by the public and when he used the words `Khoonda Ferunga’ (Will use stick for Akalis) in 2012 assembly elections, the people gave him a befitting reply.
``I know Captain Sahib never talk on issues but believe more in sticks and threats. But when you were not available to the people of Patiala, how will you take time out to be available to the people of Amritsar’’, asked Majithia. He said there is debt on every farmer and anti-Punjab policies of the Centre has ruined industry in the state and Captain still is lifting sticks and issuing threats. He said Congress leader Santokh Chaudhary has already publically stated the Congress was selling tickets to Rajas and Maharajas at the cost of the party workers. He said the people’s presence shows that thee will make Jaitley win the seat by a heavy margin.
BJP Punjab President Kamal Sharma also spoke on the occasion and demanded support from the people. The slogans of Badal Jindabad, Jaitley Jindabad and Majithia Jindabad were raised by the public. Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, Chief Parliamentary secretary Inderbir Singh Bolaria, former MP Rajmohinder Singh Majitha, former MLS Vir Singh Lopoke and senior leaders were present