Cong behind anti-national mischiefs in Punjab: Badal

The battle for power in Punjab has reached New Delhi with deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal charging the main Opposition Congress with encouraging secessionist forces and Congress leader and former Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh hitting back asking why the junior Badal was shying away from holding a press conference in Chandigarh.

The role of Congress, he claimed, had been “exposed” as its leaders had attended the gathering in Amritsar on November 10 where “the major demand was for a separate state of Khalistan”. And unfortunately, the Punjab Congress members were sharing the stage.

The Chief Minister alleged, “The Congress has been trying to malign the Sikh community by painting it as anti-national whereas the fact is the Congress has always propped stooges who raise anti national slogans”.

He alleged that under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership Congress was trying to create the same environment in Punjab that it suffered during the years of militancy. He also said that this could lead to utter chaos in the government with contradictory orders being issued and the repercussions would be far-reaching and serious. “Whenever they weren’t section of it have they consumed no activity against Congress commanders who have been onstage and supplied assistance”, he asked. He also said that the Congress is showing its true colours and it is an anti-national party.

Saying that since it involved an investigation that was beyond the scope of Punjab Police, Badal added that the matter has been handed over to the CBI which was probing it.

Speaking on the allegation made by the Deputy Chief Minister over the Congress Party of having links with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, Singh said that it was totally absurd as even the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) don’t have any information.

Chief Minister Badal had written to the government of five states and two union territories seeking the release of 13 terrorists, including two serving life terms for assassinating then chief minister Beant Singh in 1995.

He said the Congress was “right on top” in the state and if elections were held today, the Akali Dal will find it hard to campaign. This situation defied all cannons of governance and hence, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal must be shown the door in the broader interest of the state.

About his visit to Dixie Gurdwara in Canada, Capt Amarinder said, “I had the courage, conviction and confidence to visit that gurdwara and put forth my point of view which people listened to attentively”. Congress chief Inderjit Singh Zira was likewise current, he included.