Putting all speculations to rest regarding Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal assuming a greater role in the national political scene, the octogenarian on Thursday said trenchant “no” to the same.

 Badal, in fact, maintained that he was “fully satisfied while serving the people of State and do not have any desire to move to Centre even to assume any bigger responsibility”.  Instead, he said, he would ensure the welfare of the residents of the state at any cost. “I am committed for ensuring the welfare of the residents of the State at any cost. There is no question of joining the national politics,” categorically said Badal.

Badal, addressing the gatherings during his Sangat Darshan programmes in various wards of the Malout assembly segment, said that he would continue to serve the residents of State in the future also.  Expressing concern over the killings of Punjabi youth in various foreign countries like Philippines, the Chief Minister said that the Centre must take steps to safeguard life and property of Punjabi youth settled abroad as it was their “bounden duty”.

Chief Minister said that the state government was under moral obligation “to solve the chronic problem of choked sewerage system in the city” for which a comprehensive plan would be chalked out in the coming days. “I have already deputed a high level team of officers to look into the matter, and a team of engineering experts would soon conduct complete survey of the city to find some viable solution for this problem,” he added.

Striking an emotional chord with the people, the Chief Minister also recalled age old ties of his family with the city. “My wife, late Bibi Surinder Kaur Badal, had special affection for the city. The city has special place in my heart and I respect the people of Malout because they stood by my family in every thick and thin,” he said, adding that he was committed to develop Malout as a ‘Model city’ to fulfill the aspirations of late Bibi Badal.