In a dramatic development, Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday said he had sought the party high command’s permission to fight the February 4 Assembly elections from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s constituency of lambi to ensure total defeat of the Akali leadership in the State.
Talking to reporters here, Capt Amarinder said he wanted to fight the Chief Minister on his home turf of lambi as he wanted to defeat all the top Akali leaders responsible for destroying the State through their drugs, mafia and goonda raj, and guilty of ruining its trade, industry and agriculture.
So far, the Congress has not yet announced its candidate from lambi to take on five-time Chief Minister, the 89-year old Akali veteran, Parkash Singh Badal. Sources indicated that Capt Amarinder could well contest on two seats —Patiala Urban and lambi.
Captain Amarinder said he had requested the Congress high command to allow him to fight the Assembly polls from lambi so that he could free Punjab from the vicious and destructive rule of the Badals.
Responding to a question, he said he would fight both lambi and Patiala, if permitted by the Congress high command.
The entire State is in shambles, said Captain Amarinder, lambasting Badal as well as his family and associates for bringing Punjab to such a shameful pass. He cited the example of the Nabha jail break to point out how ‘goondas’ were being allowed a free run of the State to help the Akalis during the polls.
The Punjab Congress president assured the people that his Government would open a probe into all Akali scams and punish every person found guilty of any criminal deed, especially drug trade.
Reiterating his opposition to use of violence against the Badals, he once again urged the people to vent their frustration and anger against the Akalis through the ballot.
Capt Amarinder also assured that the three schemes he had launched for the welfare of the people would be strictly implemented and he would fulfill every single promise made to the State, including waiver of farm loans, one job in each household and mobile phones to youth to connect them with the world.
He said his Government would renegotiate the interest rates on farm loans and settle them in such a way that the burdened farmers do not have to pay a single penny from their pockets.
Asserting that the Congress was totally committed to the State’s welfare, the PCC President pointed out that he himself had resigned his lok Sabha membership for the cause of Punjab’s water. He added that he needed 2/3rds majority to ensure that he is able to meet all his targets for the state’s welfare and asked the people to use their votes judiciously, in the best interest of Punjab.
In response to a question, Captain Amarinder said he had full faith in the Punjab police, unlike Badal, who used central forces for his security.
Replying to another question, the PPCC chief said the nation would never allow Gandhi’s picture on the Indian currency notes to be replaced with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and any suggestion to this effect was a sign of sycophancy.