Can’t afford another term to Akalis: Rahul

Friday, 03/02/2017

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/can-t-afford-another-term-to-akalis-rahul/358779.html

Lambi/Badal: On the Badals’ turf, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today made five time-bound promises with the people of Punjab “to put the state back on track”.

Amid cheering and clapping, he announced to curb drug menace and put those selling “chitta” behind bars within a month of forming the government. The Congress government, he promised, would accord 33 per cent share of panchayat land to the poor within two months.

Other promises were jobs to the unemployed youth in the government and the private sectors within three months, revival of industry in Punjab, and free medical facilities for all within four months.

In his speech at Man Singh Stadium, Rahul drew a big applause when he invoked Guru Nanak while hitting out at Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. “The first Sikh Guru believed in selfless service (‘sab tera tera’), but Sukhbir acts out of self-interest (‘sab mera mera’). Sukhbir accumulated wealth by expanding his business empire, ignoring people’s welfare,” he said.

The Congress leader alleged the Badals were responsible for ruining the state. “So, vote for Capt Amarinder Singh, who will be the next CM, and see getting Punjab transformed within days.”

Amarinder challenged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by assuring the audience of putting all halqa incharges behind bars immediately after the Congress formed the government.

He claimed the Badals were getting desperate for a win, evident from reports of distribution of money. “Cash is being ferried to Lambi and Jalalabad in unsuspecting ATM vans, trucks and buses. It is strange that these vehicles are not being checked. The Election Commission should ensure checking of all vehicles,” Capt Amarinder said.

Sangrur: Interacting with villagers here, Rahul urged them to reject the Akali Dal as well as AAP.

“I appeal to Punjab’s residents that they should not shift from one radical party (SAD) to another (AAP). Kejriwal is helping anti-Punjab forces,” he said.

Rahul spent about 30 minutes at Balian village, 9 km from Sangrur, and had food at the “sanjha chulha” (community kitchen) organised by party candidate from Sangrur Vijay Inder Singla.

He also listened to the villagers’ grievances. Some farmers asked him how he would tackle farm crisis. Dalit girl students sought a hike in the scholarship amount.

Capt fears revival of terrorism under AAP

Kotkapura: PPCC chief Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday feared the revival of terrorism in the state if AAP was voted to power. Addressing an election rally here in favour of Congress candidate, Harnirpal Singh Kuku, the younger brother of Bhai Shaminder Singh, a former MP who was killed by militants in June 1991, Amarinder took on AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for his stay at the house of a militant in Moga. Two days after his stay, there was a bomb blast in Maur Mandi, killing six persons. It was not a coincidence, alleged Amarinder. At the same time, he expressed sympathy with Punjabis lodged in jails outside the state for their alleged involvement in terrorism activities, He said if the Congress was voted to power, the government would get the innocent Sikhs released. Amarinder asked people to bring the Congress to power with two-third majority so that the government "has the power to make constitutional changes to bring Punjab back on its feet.