Describing the resignation by Captain Amarinder Singh and 42 other Congress MlAs as a mere political stunt, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday dared the State Congress Chief to explain why the other Congress MPs had not resigned to express solidarity with State in this hour of crisis.
Addressing public gathering during Sangat Darshan program in lambi assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that the resignation of treacherous Congress leaders was aimed at deriving political benefit from this sensitive issue rather than safeguarding the interests of the state.
He said that it was an open secret that Captain was desirous of contesting assembly polls due to which he had resigned from lok Sabha on pretext of verdict of Supreme Court to mislead the people. Badal said that it was ironical that as polls for state assembly were due within few months so all the Congress MlAs had resigned but MPs had shied away as they had fairly enough time to end their tenure.
Justifying the decision of SAD leaders to not offer resignation, the Chief Minister said that as custodian of the Punjabis the Akali Dal was duty bound to protect their interests, which could be best done by remaining at the helms of the affairs in the state.
He said that the state government has called the special session of state assembly on November 16 to chalk out the strategy for dealing with the crisis. Badal said that instead of raising voice for the people, the Congress MlAs have deceived the people of state by tendering resignations. He said that they have also sought time from President of India so that the entire Cabinet could present the case of state before him.
Recalling that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was squarely responsible for Punjab's crisis, he said that she forced the erstwhile Congress Chief Minister of Punjab Darbara Singh into signing an agreement to give away Punjab's waters to Haryana forcing him to withdraw the Supreme Court Case filed by him to protect Punjab river water interests.
Badal also held state Congress Chief Amarinder Singh responsible for inviting Indira Gandhi to start the digging of the canal at Kapuri in his own constituency Patiala by offering her a silver spade to start the digging. He said that while Congress rejoiced the occasion, the SAD had launched a long peaceful democratic morcha for Punjab's interests as a result of which no river waters went out of Punjab after that.
Assailing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Chief Minister said that it was a party with dual face. He said that AAP government in Delhi has submitted an affidavit against the state in Apex court on SYl issue. Badal said that disguised in robe of Aam Aadmi (common man), these people were working overtime against the interests of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would hold a huge Gathering of Punjabis at Moga on December 8 and start a campaign for "Pani Bachao, Punjab Bachao." Exhorting the fulsome support and cooperation of people for this cause, Badal said that it was necessary to save the life line of the state.