Parties accuse each other of compromising Punjab’s interest

Beware of “Chitta kira and Chitti topi”, says Amarinder

Blame game:Congress leaders Parneet Kaur, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Ambika Soni and Amarinder Singh at the Congress meet and (below) AAP leaders at the party meet to mark the Baisakhi festival at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district on Wednesday.- PHOTOS: Akhilesh Kumar

Major political parties including ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday accused each other of compromising the State’s interest over various issues at their separate political conferences organised on the occasion of Baisakhi.

In their gatherings at Talwandi Sabo, they criticised each other’s stand on various issues - like that of sacrilege of holy book Guru Granth Sahib, Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal, drugs, and plight of farmers.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh attacked the SAD over the drugs issue and vowed to put smugglers behind bars once the party is voted to power.

“The two ‘Chittas’ (white fly and smack synthetic drugs) have ruined the farmers and youths. And to save Punjab, bring Congress back to power,” he said at his party’s conference.

He asked the Punjabis to beware of “Chitta kira and Chitti Topi” (white fly and Aam Aadmi Party) who are “playing” with their future.

Senior Congress leaders Shakeel Ahmad, Ambika Soni and almost the entire State leadership of the party including sitting MLAs Sunil Jakhar, Raja Warring, Sukh Sarkaria, and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal were present during the programme.

At the AAP gathering, party leader Sanjay Singh said the ruling party has filed a case against him for associating Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia with smuggling. “I still say AAP shall replace corrupt government of Punjab and put the drug traffickers behind bars,” he said.

The party’s MP Bhagwant Singh Mann criticised the State’s education system and appealed to the voters to vote APP to power.

AAP leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur asked people to see who is behind the recent incidents of sacrilege, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the SYL canal dispute, and the drugs issue.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at his party’s gathering hailed Baisakhi and the role of Punjabis in the Independence struggle and other crises in the country. "I shall not allow a single drop of water to go out of Punjab and I am willing to sacrifice myself,” he said.

He said Congress was behind the 1984 attack on the Sikh faith’s most sacred shrine and the SYL tussle.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal promised 12,000 jobs in various departments within four months and pledged to fulfil all the promises made to the people of Punjab. PTI