Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday attacked Arvind Kejriwal claiming that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief has “no affection” for Punjab as he is from Haryana and his “sole” intention was to wrest power in Punjab to benefit “his native State”.
“Since Kejriwal hails from Haryana, he was naturally inclined towards safeguarding the interests of his State,” Badal told a gathering during his Sangat Darshan programme in Fatehgarh Churian Assembly in Bhagowal.
He cited the Delhi Chief Minister’s stand on Satluj-Yamuna link (SYl) canal issue saying that it will “deprive” Punjab of its water.
Earlier, while in Punjab, Kejriwal had said that the State does not have a single drop of water to spare (for Haryana), but later, in an affidavit in the Apex Court on April 4, his Government supported Haryana’s stand on completing the SYl canal.
“All Punjabis would have to struggle to save every single drop of water because if AAP and Congress succeed in their designs, none could save Punjab from becoming a desert,” he said.
Badal’s offensive came as AAP has stepped up its campaign, targeting the SAD-BJP government over drug issue and agricultural distress, for the Assembly polls in the state due next year.
Badal alleged that while Congress signed various agreements to “deprive” Punjab of its waters, AAP is now “trying its level best” to ensure they are implemented at the earliest.
Targeting Congress, he alleged that it has never missed an opportunity to meddle in the religious affairs of the Sikhs. “The younger generation should not forget the action on the Golden Temple in 1984,” he said.
Badal said that the 1984 Sikh “genocide” after the death of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi badly “tormented” the community’s psyche and it’s “our duty” to sensitize the younger generation on this issue. “I am just refreshing the memories of our youth who were not even born at that time,” he said.
He added, “The youth should act prudently to differentiate who is their friend or foe.”
listing out major initiatives taken by his government, the Chief Minister claimed that due to “concerted efforts” of the SAD-BJP alliance government, Punjab was today “only power surplus” state in the country.
He said that the alliance government has decided to double the pensions given to people under the social security schemes besides hiking the honorarium of nambardars.
Badal, earlier interacting with the media persons, termed the state-wide dharnas by Congress as a ‘political gimmick’. “The state Congress leadership is hell bent upon wasting its energy by politicizing these issues and the state government is already proactively probing all cases related to recruitments and law and order,” he said.
He advised Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh to play a constructive role for the development of state and betterment of its people rather blowing these issues out of proportion.