Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday said it was shameful that Amritsar Congress candidate Capt Amarinder Singh was bragging that aggression had always paid off for him instead of telling the people of the holy city what he had done for them during his tenure as chief minister of Punjab.
In a statement here, the SAD chief said it was shocking that Capt Singh was bragging that aggression would get him votes. “living as he is in a self delusional world, he is also creating examples of how aggression had paid off for him in the past”.
Stating that facts spoke for themselves, Badal said the truth was that people of Punjab had taught a lesson in electoral politics to Capt Singh not once but twice. “During his tenure as chief minister he initiated an era of vendetta politics and unjustly jailed my father and even me. However, the people of Punjab adjudicated on his politics of vendetta and shunted him out of office in the 2007 Assembly elections.”
Badal said again in the run up to the 2012 Assembly elections, Capt Singh picked up the khunda and openly proclaimed that he would beat up the Akalis with it. “Again the people decided on the issue in a democratic manner and returned the SAD-BJP Government to power”.
The SAD president said now again Capt Singh, who had been forcibly parachuted to Amritsar by the Congress high command, was trying to drum up support for himself by claiming he would put Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal behind bars in case a Congress Government was elected to power in 2017.
Advising the Congress candidate to worry about the immediate election in hand rather than dreaming of a victory in 2017, the SAD president said Capt Singh was in the habit of day dreaming. “You can see the newspapers in the run up to the Assembly elections in 2007 and 2012. On both occasions, Capt Singh had already decided who would form part of his council of ministers as well as who would be the State chief secretary and the DGP. Today he is dreaming of leading the Congress in the 2017 Assembly election campaign when he has been thoroughly disgraced and even ousted as PCC President,” he said.
End to intimidation
Ajnala/Rajasansi (Amritsar): Congress candidate from Amritsar, Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday promised to end the party workers’ intimidation by Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.
Addressing a series of public meetings at various places in Ajnala and Raja Sansi Assembly segments, Capt Amarinder said, law had already started catching up with Bikram as he had been named in the charge-sheet in the case related to the drug lord Jagdish Bhola.
Capt Amarinder said these elections will mark the beginning of the end of the Akali misrule. He said Bikram Majithia will have no option but to run away as people will hold him accountable for all his sins.
He also lashed out at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for the wanton loot of the State resources. He pointed out how Badals had grown rich while Punjab had gone bankrupt.
Capt Amarinder said the Badals had let down all sections of society whether these be farmers, traders, industrialists, employees, students or anyone else.
He said not a single section of people was happy with the Government. He pointed out that the employees had not been getting their salaries while pensioners had to wait for their pension for three months and more.
Majithia attacks Captain
Amritsar: Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia on Thursday renewed his offensive against former Chief Minister and Congress candidate Capt Amarinder Singh calling him a ‘liar’ who twists history to suit his convenience.
He took jibe on Captain’s public disclosure of justifying his aggressive style and how he saved 55 villages from being merged with Haryana.
“Captain is not good student of history. The villages were saved due to the sacrifices and fight by the Akali workers and leaders. If you (Captain) are so aggressive why couldn’t you bring back Chandigarh to Punjab. You are expert in making molehill out of nothing...,” Majithia said.
Congress complains to EC
Amritsar: Congress on Thursday complained to the Election Commission of India against the “import” of some dreaded criminals, already convicted for heinous crimes like murder and undergoing sentence in difference jails, to Amritsar with the apparent motive of intimidating and hoodwinking the Congress supporters and workers.
Karanpal Sekhon, the election agent of Capt Amarinder Singh, in his complaint disclosed that three notorious criminals Ankur likhari, Sanjiv Baba and Sonu Kangla who were convicted and sentenced for various jail terms for murder and other crimes were being seen in the town.
He claimed that they were deliberately brought here at the behest of the ruling alliance to create an atmosphere of fear and terror among the people.
Vivek Oberoi adds glamour
Amritsar: Cine-star Vivek Oberoi added colour of glamour to the election campaign in Amritsar on Thursday. He was here to campaign for Arun Jaitley, BJP-SAD candidate.
He participated in a road show organised by BJYM, the youth wing of BJP.
Starting from Putlighar, the road show ended at Mall Mandi. Craze to shake hand, get photographed with him and to have a glimpse of him was seen.
Vivek made an appeal to vote for Arun Jaitley, who is a close friend of his father Suresh Oberoi. He said, “I have come here to campaign for Arun Jaitley, who is a nice and capable person. His record as a parliamentarian is impeccable. He will enhance the development process in Amritsar.” He said he is a diehard fan of Narendra Modi, and in his leadership country will have a strong and decisive Government.