SAD-BJP working on cross purposes on traders, farmers’ issues: Bajwa

Wednesday, 31/07/2013

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/punjab/sad-bjp-working-on-cross-purposes-on-traders-farmers-issues-bajwa/83881

HOSHIARPUR: A total chaos prevails in Punjab Government led by SAD-BJP alliance as the both the parties are working against the political interests of each other. This was stated here today by Partap Singh Bajwa President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) while addressing a meeting of party workers during his ongoing tour of all 117 assembly constituencies of state.

Bajwa said that while SAD was imposing heavy taxes on urban population and businessmen to dent the vote bank of BJP, the latter has made a counter offensive on SAD with demand to withdraw the free power facility given to farmers of the state. He said that the prevailing political alliance between SAD and BJP was not in the interest of people of Punjab who are being taken for a ride by two parties.  

Bajwa said that statement by SAD president and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal that all the decisions like imposing e-trip system of tax collection, property tax, hefty fee on regularization of illegal colonies and unprecedented hike in power rates were taken with the consent of BJP. He said that if this was the case then BJP was guilty of cheating the urban people. He said that state BJP leaders have their own version of defense. “Either both the alliance partners or one of them were spitting lies, he added.

Bajwa warned the SAD and BJP against exploitation of people for their political motives. He said that BJP was anti-farmer and anti-minority communities. He said that while in Punjab BJP was demanding to withdraw free power facility from farmers, in Gujarat it has been shunting out the Sikh farmers living in Kutch area for decades. He said that the action against Sikhs in Gujarat has once again exposed the communal and anti-minority face of BJP. He said that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal didn’t help the Gujarat Sikhs due to narrow political motives. He said that alliance with BJP has made Badal helpless in defending Sikhs in Gujarat.

Taking dig on SAD members of Lok Sabha who, according to report, are the richest among all the members of Parliament each with an average wealth of Rs.6.02 crore, Bajwa said that these were the assets made public by the Akali MPs. He said that it was a strong indicator of corruption by the only ruling family of Punjab. He said that Harsimrat Kaur MP from Bathinda and daughter in law of Badal was among the 10 richest MPs of India with Rs.60 crore assets. “Badal family governs Punjab primarily to serve its own interests, ahead of those of the SAD, whilst the people of Punjab come a distant third”, he added.

PPCC President said that alliance government in Punjab was most corrupt and directionless. The law and order was at lowest ebb. The health and education are in worst condition and promises made with the dalits and BPL families were not fulfilled. The people of Punjab were waiting for an opportunity to teach a lesson to this government. He said that the 2014 Parliament election was an appropriate opportunity for people to get rid of SAD and BJP alliance. He said that he was determined that after defeat in Lok Sabha elections, the alliance government in Punjab would fall.

Bajwa said that he was aware of the problems of the Kandi area and Congress would address the problems when came to power. He said that SAD-BJP government had neglected this area and no industry was set up here.

Bajwa later visited 108 Sant Narain Dass school for blind and handicapped at Mahalpur and spent time with the school children and watched exhibition cricket match by handicapped children. He offered food items to the children. He also visited Slum colony in Puglana village and listened the grievances of slum residents. He said that Congress workers would provide needed medical aid to slum dwellers.

Others who addressed the meeting are Santosh Chaudhary MP and union minister of state for health, Tarlochan Singh Soond Vice President PPCC, Sunder Sham Arora, Sangat Singh Gilzian, Ram Lubhaya, Love Kumar Godly, Dr. Raj Kumar, Rana Randhawa, Kamal chaudhary and Inder Pal Singh Dhanna.