Amarinder reads out his poll manifesto, makes promises as state’s ‘would be’ CM
Wednesday, 16/12/2015
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Bathinda : On the occasion of his much hyped ‘coronation ceremony’ here on Tuesday, the newly appointed Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh, without waiting for the high command to announce his candidature, moved ahead in releasing his poll manifesto for 2017 Vidhan Sabha polls. He made a number of promises with the gathering claiming that majority of them would be fulfilled within four weeks of him forming the government in the state in 2017. It was otherwise a massive show organized by the Congress, where the party leadership put up a united show and declared that they would work together with an agenda to come back in the power, defeating the SAD-BJP combine after 10 years. The rally was held at the same venue, where the SAD had its first Sadbhawna rally on November 23.
Addressing the gathering, which was quite enthusiastic about the change of guard in the party, every leader including Captain ensured mentioning that the venue was selected in acceptance of the SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s challenge who had dared Amarinder to hold a similar show at the same location on November 23. Receiving a Sikh holy book ‘Gutka Sahib’ from former Khadoor Sahib MLA Ramanjit Singh Sikki, Amarinder pointed his hand in the direction of Takht Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, and took a religious pledge stating that he would fulfill all promises he was about to make with the people of Punjab from the stage.
Amarinder promised to take the drugs and sand mafia to task, revise the pensions meant for the old age, widow and handicap persons to Rs 2,000 per month. He also announced to give Rs 51,000 to girls as Shagun during their weddings. Besides, withdrawal of VAT on sugar, creation of special courts of NRIs and Army personnel cases, improvement in education system, upgrading the three existing government medical colleges to the level of PGI and regularisation of illegal colonies were the part of his informal poll manifesto.
He also reiterated his promise of five-marla plots to poor and cremation grounds for Christian and Muslim communities. Amarinder further advocated the creation of land pool system and allot the chunks at subsidised rates to invite industry. Talking about agriculture, he claimed that things were in mess, mentioning the pest attack on cotton, much cheaper price of basmati and delayed payments of procured paddy.
TAKES ON STATE POLICE
Lashing out at the state police, he alleged that the cops were doing injustice with masses to please the ruling Badals. While charging the DGP (Police Housing Corporation) Sumedh Singh Saini, Amarinder said: “He was picked by Badals and had been elevated to the rank of DGP ignoring the right of Anil Kaushik, an IPS officer 7-year senior to Saini, to get the illegal things done and now when such actions got exposed they immediately sidelined Saini. But rest assure, I will put Saini behind bars in my government.”
Amarinder also spoke about the sacrilege incidents followed by the police firing at Behbal Kalan, where two Sikh agitators were killed. One of the injured persons was also brought on the Congress stage, apparently to send an emotional message. About the SGPC, Amarinder said: “Though Congress doesn’t go into religious affairs, I announce that anyone making efforts to get the SGPC freed from the clutches of Badals and Makkar (Avtar Singh), we will extend our maximum support.”
Earlier, the outgoing PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa handed over the party flag to Capt Amarinder Singh thus formally handing over the charge of the PPCC president to him, amid slogans. While addressing the gathering, Bajwa claimed the Congress was united, saying: “I have no difference with Amarinder Singh ji. He is elder to me and I respect him as brother. We will work together and ensure the state is freed from Badals.” He also claimed to have no remorse for being removed from the post.
