Will field best leader against Harsimrat, says Manpreet
Thursday, 09/08/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120809/punjab.htm#3
People’s Party of Punjab president Manpreet Badal today said his party would field its best candidate against MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Bathinda Parliamentary constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
He was responding to speculations whether he would contest against Harsimrat Badal. Addressing mediapersons after staging a dharna here against the SAD-BJP policies, Manpreet said it was too early for him to announce the candidate for Lok Sabha elections.
“We will field the best candidate against her. But elections are far off. It will be premature to talk much at this juncture. Further, I will not decide on any candidate without consulting our alliance partners. I can only say that the PPP will contest from Bathinda,” he said.
He clarified that he had no intention of joining the Congress. “I have only one heart, which is for the PPP. I can’t give my heart to different parties,” he said.
He criticised the SAD-BJP alliance for the poor financial health of the state government. “The state may have to announce financial emergency by the end of this year," he said, adding that the PPP was against giving extension in retirement age upto 60 years as it would put more burden on the state finances.
Opposing the imposition of new taxes in the state, he said, “Looting people is not a way to improve fiscal condition. The government has to improve its resources.” Giving an example, he said the state roadways were running into losses, whereas private transport operators were earning huge profits.
“The state government and the common man are becoming poorer and high and mighty are getting richer day by day. I believe a businessman should not be a part of the government. Sukhbir Badal is a businessman. He thinks of his profit, not of the people of the state.”
