Manpreet too takes on CM
Monday, 06/10/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141006/punjab.htm#6
Chandigarh : People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Singh Badal today said that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's admission that the BJP-led NDA government had refused a financial package, forcing the state government to hike VAT on diesel, had raised a question mark on the SAD-BJP alliance.
In a statement, the former Finance Minister said all state governments got financial assistance from the Centre under a set formula applicable to all states. “Earlier, the Chief Minister had accused the UPA government of discrimination. Now it is the NDA government that has outrightly rejected Punjab’s case for special assistance,” he said.
Manpreet said as Finance Minister, he had taken up the issue of debt relief with the Centre which was objected to by the Chief Minister. “During campaigning, Akali leaders had claimed that money would start flowing to Punjab once Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. However, the Modi government has ditched Punjab and Badal owes an answer to the people.”
Manpreet said the state government had been squandering money to consolidate its vote bank.
