NewZNew (Bhai Ka Kera/Sri Muktsar Sahib) : Amidst media reports pertaining to possibility of early elections for the state assembly, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that SAD-BJP alliance was ever prepared fully to face hustings at any moment.
Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Lambi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that in democratic set up political parties were always ready for elections and Shiromani Akali Dal was not an exception to it. He said that they were ever ready to face the elections any point of time.
Asked to comment on Congress spokesperson Mr. Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s entry in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Chief Minister said that it was hardly any issue for them as it doesn’t make any difference whether Mr. Khaira joins AAP or remains in Congress. He said that Mr. Khaira would have in any case contested election either on Congress or now on AAP’s ticket. However, Mr. Badal said that the candidate of SAD-BJP alliance from Bhoolath assembly segment would remain the same.
Refuting the allegations of Congress regarding anti-democratic decisions of state government, the Chief Minister said that these were totally baseless and irrational. Mr. Badal said that opposition was criticizing the state government just for the sake of criticism. He said that there was hardly any ground of allegations leveled by the opposition.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that state government was committed to firmly deal with any incident involving law and order in Punjab adding that in Abohar incident also the state government was taking every step to deliver justice to the victims. He said that almost all the main accused involved in this heinous crime have been nabbed and law was taking its own course in the case. “Our government has always acted swiftly to deal with such cases and nobody will be allowed to take the law in their hand”, he added.
Earlier addressing the public gatherings in village Dabwali Malko Ki, Kangan Khera, Mahni Khera, Rasulpur and Bhai Ka kera, the Chief Minister said that state government has taken several historic initiatives for the well being of people. He said that Punjab was the only state which has initiated pro – poor schemes like Atta – Dal and Shagun. Likewise, Mr Badal said that the state government was providing free power to farmers of the state at a cost of Rs 5000 crore every year.
Apprising the people about ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme’ for providing free pilgrimage to sacred cities of Sri Nanded Sahib, Varanasi, Katra (Mata Vaishno Devi) and Ajmer Sharif, the Chief Minister exhorted them to take full benefit of this scheme. He said that under this scheme the state government would organize free trains to these cities for the people from Punjab and also provide other logistic facilities to pilgrims. Mr. Badal said that Punjab was the only state in the country to take this first of its kind initiative to facilitate the people for undertaking pilgrimage to these holy places.
Highlighting the significance of Sangat Darshan programs, the Chief Minister said that Sangat Darshan was a flagship program of the SAD-BJP alliance, which was very helpful in ensuring on the spot redressal of the grievances of the people. He said that these programs were also helpful to the state government for judging the performance of the officers/ officials of the state government. Mr. Badal said that Sangat Darshan was held only in Punjab and that too during alliance government’s rule. “No other Chief Minister in the entire country conducts such an extensive exercise of visiting each and every village to resolve the problems of people” he added.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chairman PUNCOFED Mr. Kulwinder Singh Bhai Ka Kera, Circle President SAD Mr. Avtar Singh Vanwala, Mr. Satinder Jeet Singh Manta, Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Basant Garg and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mr. KS Chahal.