Taking a dig at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday called him a “rubber da gudda” (rubber doll) amidst the Opposition’s allegations that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in Delhi is running the Government in Punjab.
Sidhu, who along with former MLAs Navtej Singh Cheema and Ashwani Sekhri met the Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit on Thursday morning, submitted a memorandum raising several issues, including the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, politicisation of state police force, power situation.
Speaking after the meeting, Sidhu said: “Does he (Bhagwant Mann) care about Punjab?...The Chief Minister has become a rubber da gudda.”
Sidhu said: “Punjab’s CM should be ankhila (a self-respecting man) who could not be pulled by strings.”
“Someone is playing the game but someone else is dancing and speaking. The person who is playing the game while sitting in Delhi is the masquerader and he is getting unmasked,” said Sidhu in an apparent dig at AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“Memorandum to the Hon’ble Governor Punjab on the burning issues of Punjab…It resonates people’s voice…He gave us patient hearing, said he’s looking into the matter...Will even go to Delhi for Punjab, Punjabiyat and the rights of Punjabis…” tweeted Sidhu, after the meeting.
In the memorandum, Sidhu listed the deteriorating law and order situation, politicisation of Punjab police, looming power crisis and Rs 500 bonus for wheat growers as the main issues.
“The law and order situation in Punjab has deteriorated drastically under the Bhagwant Mann Government, with 40 people killed in a month,” said Sidhu alleging that Punjab Government is using the police force to target those who raise their voice against Kejriwal.
“You are politicising the police force to use it for your own interests,” he said attacking the AAP government.
“Whether it is badlav (change) or badla (vendetta)...Vendetta politics has started,” he alleged.
Sidhu’s remarks came a day after the Punjab Police visited the residences of former AAP leader Kumar Vishwas and Congress’ Alka Lamba in connection with a case registered over “inflammatory statements” against Kejriwal. Both leaders have been summoned for questioning on April 26 with evidence.
Targeting AAP, Sidhu accused it of “selling lies” to the people of the state in order to grab power in Punjab. “You sold lies and dreams, but you do not have resources to fulfil them...What was the need for making tall promises,” he asked while pointing out that Punjab’s financial position was the “worst” in the country.
He added that 85 percent of the state’s revenue is being spent on salaries, pensions, and repaying debt.
Asking the AAP-led State Government how it will meet the rising demand, Mann said: “Today, the demand for power has reached 8,000 MW and the Government is unable to meet it...Thermal power plants are getting shut because of coal shortage.”
“When the demand for power reaches 15,000 MW, then how will they meet it,” he asked.
Sidhu also demanded Rs 500 per quintal for the wheat growers to compensate for the drop in crop yield because of early onset of heat wave.