The Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP on Saturday observed the completion of two years of the Congress government in Punjab as ‘Vishvasghat Divas’, staging demonstrations across the State. The Opposition allies accused the ruling party of failing to honour the commitments it had made in its election manifesto.
The principal Opposition, the Aam Aadmi Party, also took a swipe at the State government stating that the two years of Congress rule have been a “flop show”. “Congress has failed to address issues such as farm distress, unemployment and stamping out the menace of drugs,” said Bhagwant Mann, the party’s State chief.
SAD-BJP workers held demonstrations against the State government in Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Mohali and Gurdaspur districts.
Former Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the government has failed to perform and people are facing hardships. “We are today observing ‘Vishvasghat Divas’. People are being denied the benefit of social welfare schemes. It seems there is no government in Punjab,” he said.
The Akali leader said the Congress government has failed to implement the full farm loan waiver promise. “Congress has taken a U-turn on farm loan promise,” he said. Mr. Majithia alleged that the youth were promised jobs but it has not been realised till now. “The government is taking credit for investments which were sanctioned during SAD-BJP rule,” he said.
Capt. Amarinder hit back, saying none of the Opposition leaders had any constructive agenda and that the Congress had no opposition in the State because of the large-scale development work being done by his government.
“The Congress regime has delivered on each of the promises that were made. Even the promise of smartphones to youth is being fulfilled,” he said.
The CM hailed the success of the farm debt relief scheme under which, he claimed, 5.83 lakh farmers had been provided relief of ₹4,736 crore. He said more loans would be waived once the State’s fiscal situation improves.
On the problem of drugs, Capt. Amarinder said his government had constituted a STF soon after taking charge. “21,985 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act and 26,088 persons arrested.”
(With PTI inputs)
