leader of Opposition in Punjab, Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday called for the Election Commission’s intervention to stop the birthday bash of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal being organised at the cost of the State Government on December 8 near Moga.
Channi said that the birthday celebrations were being organized under the garb of ‘Pani Bachao, Punjab Bachao’ to oppose the construction of Satluj-Yamuna link (SYl) canal. He pointed out that going by the earlier announcement, it was only a birthday rally.
“It was after the Supreme Court verdict on SYl Canal that it was converted into ‘Pani Bachao’ conference,” he added. “We wish Badal lives for many more years. The Congress would have no objection to Badal organising this day as a mega event at his cost or that of the Akali Dal. However, this is being done at the cost of public exchequer that is highly objectionable,” he said.
He added, “Moreover, it is a political function of the Akali Dal that is being organised at Government expenditure. It is precisely for this reason that the Congress demands the intervention by the Election Commission to stop this criminal wastage.”