In poll mode, Cong begins ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’

Wednesday, 02/11/2011

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111102/punjab.htm#2

The Congress kickstarted its campaign for the coming assembly elections here today with party leaders Capt Amarinder Singh and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal putting up a united show. The leaders launched the “Punjab Bachao Yatra” to expose rampant “corruption” under the SAD-BJP government.

Gulchain Singh Charak, AICC general secretary and incharge of party affairs in Punjab, announced that the “yatra” would cover all the 117 constituencies.

Before addressing a largely attended rally, Capt Amarinder Singh, Charak and Bhattal paid obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Takht Damdama Sahib.

The rally organised by local MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu was attended by several other legislators and senior functionaries, including Jagmeet Brar.

There was commotion when Sidhu’s supporters tried to stop Sukhdev Singh Chahal, Bhattal’s political aide, from accompanying her to the dais. The matter was sorted out by Bhattal there and then.

Despite the unity show, factionalism was evident from the fact that while slogans were repeatedly raised in favour of Capt Amarinder Singh, Charak and Raninder Singh, none was raised in support of Bhattal. There was not a single poster or banner at the rally with Bhattal’s picture. The Congress leaders chose to target the Badal family rather than the state government. Capt Amarinder Singh asked his party workers to pick up lathis against the Akalis and “hit them twice if they try to hit you once.”

He alleged that the Akalis had harassed and victimised Congress workers and “it is time to hit back.”

Comparing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal with dictators like Gaddafi, Hosni Mubarak and Saddam Hussein, he said Badal would be thrown out in the coming elections. He asked Badal to list a single achievement during the past five years. Spelling out his party agenda, Capt Amarinder Singh said he wanted to see a prosperous and progressive Punjab, free of drugs and unemployment. He expressed concern at the poor health services in the state. The PCC chief criticised the Badals for spending extravagantly on the Kabaddi World Cup. “It would have been better if the money was given to hospitals where the poor are treated,” he remarked.

Charak said he sensed a mood for change.The overwhelming attendance at the rally was enough indication that the people were waiting to vote out the “corrupt and brutal regime” of the Akalis.

CLP Leader Bhattal lashed out at the Badals for wasting the state resources. CWC member Jagmeet Singh Brar said the Badals had crushed the voice of the people.

He said the seizure of heroin worth Rs 300 crore by the BSF in Jallalabad indicated that the drug mafia enjoyed the patronage of some SAD leaders. Raninder Singh and Jeet Mohinder Sidhu also spoke.

Prominent among those present were PCC general secretary Arvind Khanna, MLAs Avtar Singh Brar, Makhan Singh, Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Darshan Singh Brar, Isher Singh Mehraban, Sher Singh Ghaggowal, Mangat Rai Bansal, Ajit Singh Shant, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Harmohinder Singh Pardhan and DCC (rural) president Narinder Singh Bhaleria.

• Capt Amarinder, Charak and Bhattal pay obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Takht Damdama Sahib

• Local MLA Sidhu’s supporters stop Bhattal’s political aide from accompanying her to the dais, causing a commotion

• Slogans raised repeatedly in favour of Capt Amarinder, Charak and Raninder Singh but none in support of Bhattal. Not a single poster or banner at the rally with Bhattal’s picture

• CWC member Jagmeet Singh Brar says certain SAD leaders patronising the drug mafia

• Capt promises to rid state of drug addiction and unemployment