Come December 13, the Congress and the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will hold parallel show, but in each other’s political bastions, Bathinda and Patiala respectively.
The day Capt Amarinder Singh would take over the charge of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president in Bathinda, SAD chief and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday announced that the party would hold a “mammoth rally” on the same day opposite the New Moti Bagh Palace — Capt Amarinder’s residence.
“SAD would respond to the December 13 Bathinda rally of the Congress party in a befitting manner by holding a mammoth rally on the same day opposite the New Moti Bagh palace, residence of newly appointed Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh in Patiala,” announced Sukhbir in party’s Sadbhavna Rally at Gurdaspur.
Capt Amarinder, reacting, ridiculed Sukhbir’s ignorance” saying that “there was no open or vacant space available there”.
“He (Sukhbir) has actually confirmed the public belief about his fascination for building castles in the air,” said Capt Amarinder.
“Not that there was any doubt about his mindless utterances, but his (Sukhbir’s) today’s announcement has only confirmed and reaffirmed the public belief that he loves to build castles in the air,” said the former chief minister.
The PPCC chief said: “For Sukhbir’s knowledge, the residence is surrounded by built-in area on one side and the Army on the other side…I wonder where he plans to hold the rally which is not possible unless he goes on demolishing the houses first.”
Capt Amarinder had not only accepted Sukhbir’s challenge to hold a rally at Bathinda, known as Badals’ citadel, but also announced to take over his new assignment in the same event. Days after, Sukhbir declared that the party would also prove its mettle by holding a show of strength in Capt Amarinder’s hometown, Patiala.
Sukhbir, during his speech at Gurdaspur rally, also lambasted Capt Amarinder for being in-league with anti-national Khalistani elements while pointing towards his visit to Dixie Gurudwara in Canada during his tenure as CM.
“It was extremely shameful for Capt Amarinder Singh to hobnob with separatist elements while being on a constitutional post,” he said.
Calling Capt Amarinder the biggest liar, Sukhbir asked him to explain why he had aligned himself with a party which had repeatedly attacked and harmed the Sikh institutions such as Akal Takht Sahib, SGPC and the SAD.
On the other hand, Capt Amarinder condemned Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for making a reference to the Hindus in his speech at Gurdaspur by saying that the Hindus were feeling “dejected”.
“Are you trying to build up their confidence or instilling fear in their minds,” he asked the CM. Referring to Badal’s speech that after the recent incidents, the Hindus in the state had started feeling insecure and “dejected”, the State Congress president said that it was a clear admission of failure on Badal’s part.