2017 polls: ‘No Cong MLA to head any board’

Monday, 01/02/2016

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MALERKOTLA (SANGRUR): Signalling that the Congress was averse to fielding more than one person from any family, including his own, Punjab party president Captain Amarinder Singh announced on Sunday here that none of its winners in the 2017 state elections would be appointed head of any board, corporation or trust if they came to power.

Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh addressing a rally in Malerkotla on Sunday.

These positions would be reserved for the party workers and leaders only, he made it clear in an interaction with farmers and the youth that former legislator Razia Sultana had organised. “All prominent workers and leaders of the party will be accommodated suitably after the Congress formed the government. The MLAs will be entitled to becoming ministers and chief parliamentary secretaries only,” he said.

Replying to a question how he planned to tackle the drug problem within four weeks, the former chief minister said: “I have said four weeks while taking oath on Gutka Sahib, but I will finish it much before, as I know who the kingpins and the masterminds are and how to set them right.”

Targeting the Akali ministers, the state Congress president said once his party came to power, it would order an inquiry against current agriculture minister Tota Singh.

“He is the main culprit in the supply of spurious pesticides to farmers, which led to massive damage to the cotton crop and huge losses to the farmers. We won’t let him get away with it,” said Amarinder. He said the prospective Congress government would not only continue with free electricity to farmers but also provide the agricultural sector with additional stimulus for its revival.

“Reviving the agricultural economy of Punjab will lead to overall economic revival of the state,” he argued. Replying to another question, he said the AAP posed no threat to the Congress. “While the Akalis’ exit is a foregone conclusion, the AAP stands no chance on the ground.

It does not have any experienced or competent leader who can inspire confidence in Punjabis. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is a proven big failure already, as he failed to resolve the basic issues of Delhi.

RUES ‘BIG MISS’ OF REPUBLIC DAY PARADE

The absence of Sikh Regiment at this year’s Republic Day parade was a grave omission, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh told the media before the interaction with farmers and the youth at Malerkotla.

“Particularly when President François Hollande of France, where the turban is banned at public places, was chief guest, there could not have been a better occasion to convey the importance of the turban to him,” he said.