Capt accuses Modi govt of creating war hysteria

Monday, 03/10/2016

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MANSA: Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has accused the BJP-led Union government of creating war hysteria here on Sunday.

Interacting with people during his ‘Halke Vich Captain’ programme in Budhlada assembly constituency, Amarinder said: “All this is being done to consolidate Hindu vote ahead of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.”

He also blamed state chief minister Prakash Singh Badal

for not resisting the evacuation orders in villages close to border.

“When Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked for de-escalation from both sides and even the army is not on alert, then why is there a need to evacuate villages in Punjab. The Bharatiya Janata Party wants to reap political benefits in the UP elections,” said Captain.

The evacuation orders should have been sent by the defence ministry instead of the Union Home Ministry, said Captain.

“Chief minister (Parkash Singh) Badal should be blamed equally for putting people in such a helpless situation,” said the Punjab Pradesh Congress Comiittee president.

“Badal could have resisted these orders. Had I been there, I would not have allowed evacuation of these villages,” he said. “There was no mass evacuation in the 1965 war or during Operation Parakram in 2002.” He appealed to villagers living along border areas not to leave. He assured the villagers that he will soon join them, and asked them to stay put in their respective homes.

Amarinder assured them that there appeared no signs of war as of now to necessite their relocation or evacuation to safer areas.

“Punjabis are known for valour, courage and bravery and they will rather love to fight alongside their army than run away, which the BJP is trying to make them do and which they will never do,” he asserted.

“Punjabis have the courage and the confidence to guard others, even if it means risking their own lives,” Amarinder further said.

While India should continue diplomatic efforts at isolating Pakistan, at the same time it should not close the option of talks, said Captain.

“Eventually, we will have to talk to each other,” he observed, adding: “We should better declare war on poverty than against each other.”

Addressing the gathering, Captain Amarinder Singh promised that the land acquired in Gobindpura village for a thermal-power plant will be returned to people once the Congress came to power in Punjab.