Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said that his ongoing Sangat Darshan programme of meeting people at their doorsteps would continue as it was the core element of his vision of democracy.
“People are my masters and I am their servant. I always go to people. This relationship will continue as long as I am alive as I draw my spiritual and moral strength from them,” Badal said in a strongly worded response to recent criticism of his Sangat Darshan programmes by Congress. “I am not surprised that the criticism is coming from Congress leaders who do not understand the basic tenet of democracy and how it is different from other systems like dictatorship or monarchy,” he added.
He said, “Congressmen consider it below their dignity to go to people. But, I feel highly honoured when I am with them.”
Stressing that SAD-BJP concept of governance has always been different from that of the Congress, Badal said that some people think that they “should not go back to people for five years after getting elected. They think a leader is the boss and should remain seated in air-conditioned offices, be spoon-fed by his officers, issue orders and enjoy perks which people have bestowed on him”.
“True meaning of freedom and democracy is, those in the Government should stop treating themselves as masters. Freedom means implementing Abraham lincoln”s concept of democracy as a system for the people, of the people and by the people. Sangat Darshan is democracy in action,” added Badal.
Regarding the funds spent on public works and local development projects, Badal said that his critics should stop telling lies. “They took this issue to the court. But judiciary threw their objections out. They should accept judiciary”s verdict and stop talking about misuse of funds. Every penny spent for the people during Sangat Darshan programmes is under strict audit and accounted for. Otherwise, the courts would not have given us a clean chit,” said the Chief Minister.