Punjab’s former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday said that there was no reason for his successor Capt Amarinder Singh to react so “peevishly” to the SAD-BJP asking him not to link the Congress’ poll promise of loan waiver with a central fiscal package for Punjab.
“Where is the need to get so worked upIJ I have said categorically that I and my party and alliance partners support him in his demand for a package. All I said was that the promise of waiving farmers' loan, jobs to 30 lakh households, doubling pensions and more than tripling the Shagun scheme amount etc should not be made dependent on Punjab getting this package,” he said.
He stated that the two should be de-linked and the state government should immediately take a cabinet decision on loan waiver, filling of vacancies and other promises made by the Congress in its manifesto.
They have all the information and detailed data they need on the problems and there is no reason for setting up committees to study the problems now, he reiterated.
Badal said that he fully backs the Chief Minister in following the SAD-BJP's earlier demand for a central package for the state. “We have been fighting for it since long. But please don't misuse this sensitive issue to run away from your promises on loan waiver etc,” he said.
The veteran statesman said that all political parties in Punjab must pool their resources and fight together on issues that affect the people of the state. “Don't waste your energies on needlessly criticising each other. SAD-BJP alliance is committed to playing its role as constructive opposition.”
“ If the Chief Minister fights for the common cause of Punjab, he will represent us too. We will extend all help and cooperation. But the promises made by the Congress to the people were not made subject to the Centre meeting its demands,” he said.