Parties in Punjab flex muscle on Baisakhi

Political parties in Punjab tried to evoke the Panth (religious sect) on the occasion of Baisakhi at the historic Talwandi Sabho Mela in Bhatinda. All three major political parties of Punjab — the ruling SAD-BJP alliance, Opposition Congress and AAP — held parallel rallies at the religious mela.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh, who was addressing the gathering, reminded people that it was he who had put the Akalis in jail during his last tenure. He said Punjab is going through a very bad phase due to the corrupt governance of the Akalis. Blaming the Akalis for selling the interests of Punjab, Capt. Amarinder Singh charged that the Badal government had dilly-dallied on the SYL issue. Punjab could lose water and thousands of hectares of land in Malwa (southern Punjab) could turn barren as there would be no water for irrigation.

Saying that the Akalis failed to protect the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib as it was desecrated at several places, and then fired at peaceful people protesting against the act, killing two people and injuring many more.

Attacking the AAP, Capt. Singh asked people to beware of them and not to listen to them at a time when is going through a crucial phase. “Kejriwal has failed in Delhi and did not fulfil his promises. He is from Haryana, and in case of a water dispute with Haryana he will always side with Haryana.”

Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Sucha Singh Chotepur attacked the Akalis and the Congress for being hand-in-glove and ruining the state. He said the Congress has ruled Punjab for 40 years and Akalis for 22 years, and both have ruined Punjab.

Mr Chotepur said that now, sensing that the AAP is getting a tremendous response from people, both these parties are nervous.

Accusing the Badals of plundering Punjab, Mr Chotepur said chief minister Prakash Singh Badal had all the power as heads the state government, his daughter-in-law is a Union minister, son a deputy CM, son-in-law a Cabinet minister and his son’s brother-in-law a Cabinet minister. No family has enjoyed so much power in Punjab. he said.

Mr Prakash Singh Badal had attacked the Congress by saying that Punjab cannot go with the party responsible for Operation Blue Star and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He blamed the AAP for double-speak on the SYL issue.