Patiala MP against Veer Haqiqat Rai ground sale
Monday, 27/07/2015
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PATIALA: The clamour to stop the sale of Veer Haqiqat Rai ground here has become louder as after Congress party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday also jumped on the bandwagon to stop the sale of the ground.
Even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), coalition partner of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the state, has demanded scrapping up of the proposal and has asked to develop the area as commercial instead of residential complex.
The AAP led by Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi started the chain hunger strike today. Gandhi along with AAP volunteers sat on hunger strike to oppose the Punjab government’s move to sale the ground. Gandhi, in his address, said after failing to get grants from the Centre, the state government has started selling prime properties of Punjab to meet its day-to-day expenses.
He said the Veer Haqiqat Rai ground not only had historic importance, but it’s the only open ground in the city where religious and social programmes could be held. “The sale of this ground will deprive the citizens of open ground to hold such functions,” he said.
Lashing out at SAD-BJP ruled state government, Gandhi said since last eight years of Akali rule, the mafia has looted Punjab. “Entire transport, liquor, cable business are being operated through a cartel of mafia supported by the leaders of the ruling party. They have also been controlling sand, gravel and mining activities in the state,” accused Gandhi, adding the state by using police was repressing the voice of citizens.
