Cong rebels’ activities helping SAD-BJP coalition: Amarinder

Monday, 03/09/2012

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120903/punjab.htm#1

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today said activities of the party rebels were only aiding the SAD-BJP government. “And that too at a time when the Congress had launched an action programme against the ruling coalition,” he said while talking to mediapersons here after addressing his first political conference. It was organised as part of his three-month tour of the state.

Amarinder said he was unaware whether rebel activities were being fuelled by the ruling alliance. “There is no need for anyone to pressure the party high command. If it tells me to quit, I will not think twice,” he said.

The PCC chief said he had been serving the party for the last 14 years in different capacities, including its president, and he was ignorant why a section of leaders wanted his ouster. “They didn’t complain about my style of functioning earlier. I don’t know what has happened to them now. I feel they just want an issue,” he said.

Also, he said he had no plans to punish any rebel. “I consider them my colleagues and hope they will understand Punjab comes first.”

About his appeal to other opposition parties to participate in anti-government protests, he clarified it was related only to protesting against the “anti-people policies” of the government. He said political alliance, if any, would be finalised only by the high command.

“As of now, we have invited the BSP to join our protest. I also had a word with CPI leader Joginder Dayal and PPP supremo Manpreet Badal. They said they will decide by September 4,” Amarinder said.

Addressing a well-attended conference organised by senior Congress leader Harminder Singh Gill earlier, he alleged that the SAD-BJP government was resorting to bias in government schemes. “It is extending the benefits of various schemes only to SAD workers. Those associated with the Congress are being left out,” he charged.

He said levying of fresh taxes by the state government was an “injustice” to the people. “They have ditched the people by levying taxes after the local body elections got over. There was no mention of those taxes in the Budget. Instead of widening the tax base, the government should try to bring in new industry. However, its policies are strangling the existing industry and they are mulling to flee the state,” he said.

Amarinder lashed out at the state government for burdening people and not cutting its own expenses. “Where was the need to appoint so many Chief Parliamentary Secretaries? The ruling alliance leaders have also got appointed their near and dear ones in the office of advocate general. While the state coffers are empty, the father-son duo is buying a Rs 38-crore helicopter,” he said.

The former CM also attacked the state government for its alleged excesses against Congress workers while stating that it will not deter the partymen. On the Congress leaders’ charge of EVM tampering in the Punjab Assembly poll, Amarinder claimed the voting machines could indeed be tampered with and they had even demonstrated it a few years ago to the then Chief Election Commissioner MS Gill. He strongly advocated the need to revert to ballot paper system while stating that countries like Japan, US and UK have already done the same.

SIDELIGHTS

• A security breach came to light when Amarinder was on the dais
• His security men caught a worker with a pistol in his pocket; he was immediately disarmed
• To the surprise of many, Fatehjang Bajwa a top contender for PCC chief's post, was also present
• Pickpockets seemed to have a field day as two persons lost their wallets
• A few Congress leaders of the area kept away from the conference
• But, Captain said the Congress leaders from entire Tarn Taran district attended the event