Capt fumes over ‘selective’ invites, CMsays no bias
Saturday, 20/06/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Chandigarh : Accusing the ruling Akali Dal of partisan politics, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today questioned the selective invitation to leaders for the function to mark the 350th foundation day of Anandpur Sahib.
He said the entire expenditure incurred on the three-day foundation day function should be borne by the Shiromani Akali Dal since the ruling Badal family had turned it into a party function instead of a state function by restricting the invites to a select few.
The former Chief Minister said by not inviting former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to the function, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had committed a blunder.
“Dr Singh should have been invited not just because he is a Sikh, but in recognition of his immense contribution to Punjab. His being the Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world helped in recognition of Sikh identity world over when Sikhs were being targeted in hate crimes,” he said.
Capt Amarinder Singh asked why only Akalis were invited and not those Sikhs who had made their mark in the world and done the community proud.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, however, claimed that invitations were extended to leaders of all political parties.
Sources said none from the Opposition participated in the foundation day function, which was largely attended by SAD and BJP leaders. The event was completely overshadowed by the Akali leaders as a few senior BJP leaders were not even provided space at the dais, they said.
