Parkash Singh Badal asks CM to fulfil promises made to people or quit.

February 13 –  Akali supremo and five times Chief Minister of Punjab S Parkash Singh Badal today while asking Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to fulfil the promises made to the people or quit, said those in power at the centre and States should ensure that the country was run strictly in accordance with secular democratic ethos as enshrined in the constitution.

Addressing a massive Protest Rally here this afternoon during the course of which former Mla Amarpal Singh Boni Ajnala rejoined the party, Mr Badal said the chief minister had failed to fulfil any of the promises made to the people and that was why they had collected in such huge numbers to take “hisab” from him.

Mr Badal expressed grave concern over the social and political climate in the country. “Any deviation from the sacred principles of secularism can only weaken our country. Those in power at the state as well as others must work unitedly  and tirelessly to safeguard , preserve and protect India as a secular democracy. This is the legacy we inherited from the great Guru Sahiban, saints and seers. And this is the legacy we must leave for the coming generations “

Striking an emotional chord, Mr Badal said the governments and political parties must work to bring Hindus and Muslims  as well as others in an embrace of love and understanding. “Hatred and bitterness should have no place in our public life. The atmosphere in the country should be such that minorities feel secure and respected as equal partners in the task of nation building”.

The former CM while stating that he was speaking from experience said anyone leaving the mother party could not find success. He said senior leaders like  Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and S Ranjit Singh Brahmpura had received every post they desired but still chose to backstab the party at the instance of anti-panthic forces.

Speaking on the occasion amidst slogans of “chhaunda hai Punjab Captain toh hisab”, SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal said the people would not allow Capt Amarinder’s move to break the SGPC succeed. He also took on the chief minister for befooling people by making false promises in the name of the Dasam Pitah. He said forget fulfilling any promise made to farmers, youth or the poor, the Congress government had failed to even protect the prime witness in the Behbal Kalan police firing case. He said the witness was driven to death by Congress leaders Gurpreet Singh Kangar and Kushaldeep Dhillon who had pressured him not to give witness against the accused police officials.

The SAD President said power had become expensive in Punjab due to Congress mismanagement and scams. He said Congress leaders had struck under hand deals with private thermal plant management which had resulted in a loss or Rs 4100 crore to the State exchequer. He said mismanagement was there  to such an extent that power purchased at Rs 3 per unit was being sold to consumers at Rs 9 to Rs 10 per unit. He said this has happened because the government was not giving any money to PSPCL and had asked it to recover its dues from the people.

Terming the chief minister as ineffective, the SAD President said Capt Amarinder neither worked nor met anyone. He said this was the reason why development had come to a standstill. He assured Punjabis that not only would it restart government recruitment once it came to power but would also give 400 units of free power to poor sections of society.

Senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia highlighted how sugarcane dues of Rs 350 crore had not been released to cane growers besides repression unleashed against those protesting for their rights.

Amarpal Singh Boni Ajnala while speaking said he was an Akali earlier and would remain an Akali always. He said he had got disillusioned by the “Taksali ” faction and had left it when he realised it was a Congress front.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Gulzar Singh Ranike, Jagmeet Singh Brar, Vir Singh Lopoke, Virsa Singh Valtoha, Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, Ravikaran Kahlon, Malkit Singh AR, Gurpartap Singh Tikka,   Talvir Singh Gill, Baljit Singh Jalalusma and Charanjit Singh Brar. EOM