Dinanagar (The Stellar News): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal to tell Punjabis why he had abused his position as leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to strike an under the table deal with union home minister Amit Shah with the sole intention of weakening the Kisan Andolan when it was at its peak.
Talking to newsmen here after addressing a massive gathering in favour of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Kamaljit Chawla, the SAD President said farmers across the country had been stunned into disbelief after coming to know that Rajewal as well as few other politically ambitious figures in the SKM were holding secret talks with the home minister behind their backs. “The contents of the letter, which is now in public domain, are even more shocking. They reveal that Rajewal and his close group were willing to sacrifice the welfare of the farmers and had even agreed to a partial rollback of the farm laws in direct contravention of the public stand of the Kisan Andolan that it would only agree to a complete roll back of the three black laws”. Mr Sukhbir Badal said the farming community was feeling betrayed that a person who had been given complete rights to negotiate on their behalf had tried to strike a deal with the central government despite knowing it was against the welfare of farmers. “Rajewal owes an explanation to the entire community for his conduct”, he added.
When questioned about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab, Mr Badal said people had high hopes from successive Prime Ministers that they would undo the injustice done to Punjab over the last several decades. “ I urge Mr Modi to make a difference on January 5 by transferring Chandigarh to Punjab. Punjabi speaking areas which were left out of the State at the time of its reorganisation in 1966 should be transferred back to it. Similarly the riparian rights of the State over its river waters should also be bestowed to it”. Meanwhile while speaking at the rally, the SAD President expressed happiness that the PGI Satellite Centre at Ferozepur which had been secured by him for the State, would finally be inaugurated by the Prime Minister during his visit to Punjab on January 5. He said the medical facility would prove to be a boon for the border belt and urged the Prime Minister to ensure it was completed expeditiously.
Earlier when questioned about the coming together of the BJP with Capt Amarinder Singh’s Lok Congress Party and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s SAD(Sanyukt), Mr Badal said “combining one non-entity with another doesn’t make any difference to the final product. A zero hundred times over is still a zero. Punjabis know their arithmetic. This alliance will not make any difference on State politics”. Earlier while speaking about the recent vulgar outbursts of Pradesh Congress President Navjot Sidhu against State police personnel, Mr Badal said “ as if being a misguided missile was not bad enough, Sidhu is now shaming Punjabis by publicly resorting to vulgarity in his frustrated, maverick outbursts”. He said Sidhu had nothing to offer to Punjab except poison, hatred, limitless ego and arrogance.
When questioned about two sitting legislators – Fatehjang Bajwa and Balwinder Laddi joining the BJP, the SAD President said though it was an internal matter of the Congress it was a reflection of the state of affairs of the Punjab Congress. “It is now clear that Congressmen realise their party is doomed and are jumping ship in droves”. Earlier the SAD President led an impressive road show besides conducting a door to door campaign in Dinanagar markets along with BSP candidate Kamaljit Chawla. He also paid obeisance at various historic temples on his tour of the constituency during which he was accompanied by Gurbachan Singh Babbehali. EOM
