Riding on a motorcycle, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday kick-started his 100-day yatra to expose “corruption” by the Congress-led Punjab Government and take feedback from the people about their expectation if the SAD-BSP alliance comes to power in the state after 2022 polls.
However, Sukhbir has to face strong protest by the agitating farmers who waved black flags on his convoy in the Zira area of Ferozepur district. A group of farmers, including both men and women, staged protests by holding black flags in their hands, as the police tried to control the crowd.
Notably, thousands of farmers from across the country have been agitating at the Delhi, Haryana, Punjab borders against the Centre’s three farm laws that they claim will do away with the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates. Over 10 rounds of talks with the Central Government, which has been projecting the laws as major agricultural reforms, have failed to break the deadlock between the two sides.
A day before, Sukhbir had unveiled his plan to visit 100 assembly constituencies during the yatra and expose the ruling party.
“SAD will implement its 13-point programme in the manner in which it had implemented earlier commitments,” declared Sukhbir on Wednesday while addressing a gathering during his yatra.
Earlier this month, the SAD had launched the 13-point programme, promising free power up to 400 units per month for all households, slashing diesel price by Rs 10 a litre for agriculture sector, reserving 75 percent jobs for Punjabi youth in the private sector, among other things.
“Our credibility is our biggest strength,” said SAD president, addressing the people before the start of a motorcycle rally, which culminated at a gurdwara where he addressed his first public meeting.
Sukhbir, who addressed 12 public gatherings during his tour of the constituency, said that the SAD-BSP alliance is committed to giving relief to farmers and decided to make diesel cheaper by Rs 10 per litre for agricultural purposes.
“We will also give free power up to 400 units per month to all domestic consumers,”' he said, adding that there will be 33 percent reservation for rural students in professional colleges and the government will pay their fee if they are voted to power.
Sukhbir also interacted with people at Makhu and Fatehgarh Sabra besides addressing public gatherings there.