A day after leading the Congress party to sweep Punjab with 77 seats in 117-member Vidhan Sabha, its Chief Ministerial candidate Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday stated that his Government would form a ‘Special Task Force’ to curb the drug menace in the State, besides making the State more investor-friendly.
At the same time, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had personally telephoned him to congratulate for the win, had assured him full cooperation for Punjab’s development.
Capt Amarinder’s assertions came after he met the Governor VP Singh Badnore to stake claims of Government formation. After the meeting, Capt Amarinder said he had staked claim to the Government and March 16 has been fixed as the date for the oath taking ceremony.
He added that he would go to Delhi to have discussions with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on March 14.
After 10-year-long political exile, Capt Amarinder steered Congress on the driver’s seat in the State riding a strong anti-incumbency wave against the ruling SAD-BJP combine and warding off a spirited challenge by nascent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
On the vexed issue of Sutlej Yamuna link (SYl) canal, Capt Amarinder said that it was important to see the quantum of water available with Punjab. “When Punjab does not have enough water, the question of giving it to other States does not arise,” he said.
He said that Punjab has 60 per cent of agrarian land with just eight MAF (million acre-feet) water, while Haryana with 40 per cent of agriculture land has 12 MAF water.
Congress’ chief ministerial candidate said that he was committed to fulfil all the promises made by the party in its election manifesto.
“The Congress-led State Government will create an investor-friendly environment in the State. We will make the state’s industrial policy more liberal,” he asserted, adding that many top industrialists were in touch with him to set up their units in Punjab.
He said that a Special Task Force (STF) would be set up to tackle the State’s drug problem.
Capt Amarinder maintained that there was a new wave in favour of Congress in the country.
On being asked whether his party would indulge in political vendetta against the Badals, he said, “We will not work with political vendetta against opponents.” Amarinder also promised to bring reforms in the State Police Department.
“There is a financial problem in Punjab, but we are not afraid...we will ensure that poll promises are fulfilled. We will work day and night to bring Punjab back on track,” he said.
On the ‘Captain Smart Connect’ programme launched ahead of the Punjab Assembly polls, he said that global tenders would soon be floated to procure smartphones as promised under the scheme.
AAP’s BUBBlE HAS BURST
Commenting on debutant AAP’s performance in the State polls, Capt Amarinder said, “AAP’s bubble has burst…There was no wave of AAP in Punjab. The party’s hype was only on social media.”
The senior Congress leader pointed out the “absence of a regional figure in AAP”, adding that it was the reason behind its drubbing in the State polls.
SEEKS BIGGER ROlE
Calling for a “bigger role for regional leaders in States”, Capt Amarinder said that it was vital to project a regional face who could identify with the people.
He said that Congress’ winning performance in three of the five states that went to polls showed that the “party’s overall standing had improved”.