The war of words on the issue of property tax between the ruling and the Opposition has refused to die down with both sides hurling allegations on each other. A day after SAD came out with documentary evidence to prove that the Centre arm-twisted Punjab to impose property tax, State Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa on Thursday came out with another defence.
He has now asked CM Parkash Singh Badal to explain the logic behind imposing property tax when house tax is already being collected in the State.
“Badal’s assertions on property tax are misleading. House tax could have been converted into property tax and there is no justification of double taxing for same purpose,” said Bajwa while addressing party workers.
He said that Congress party was opposing the higher slab of property tax which is beyond means of common man. He asked Badal to come clean on issue of property tax and admit that his Government has played big mischief with urban people.
Bajwa said that Congress would fight to the finish and would not allow SAD to rig panchayat and local bodies elections due by May end. He said that Badal Government has demolished democratic institutions and behaving like a dictator.
Meanwhile, taking strong exception of Badal’s statement defending himself on allegations of politicizing police force and property tax, Bajwa described it as “a sign of frustration and an attempt to muzzle the voice of opposition”.
“By merely accusing Congress, Badal can’t prove himself a ‘holy cow’. As a responsible Opposition, Congress is playing its constitutional and democratic duty towards 2.50 crore people. Winning elections for two successive terms would not give any political party a license to mess up with public money and misuse the position to promote family business,” said Bajwa.