CM’s remark on need for SAd-BJP alliance triggers row - Badal pursuing politics of blackmail, says Capt

Saturday, 08/11/2014

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141108/punjab.htm#5

Patiala : The Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Capt Amarinder Singh, today condemned the “politics of blackmail” resorted to by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Referring to Badal’s statement that the SAD-BJP alliance was a must for communal harmony in the state, he asked him to elaborate on the issue.

“Did you mean that both the parties are communal representing two communal organisations and that being together is in the state’s interest,” he asked.

He asked the BJP to come clear on the issue. “The mistrust you ( BJP and SAD) share has led to political uncertainty in the state and this is reflecting on governance,” he said.

The former Chief Minister said he was surprised at Badal’s “open threat” to the BJP that if the latter walked out of the SAD-led government, it would lead to a communal divide in Punjab. “Do you mean to say that if this happens, there will be communal riots in the state,” he asked Badal.

The Congress MP claimed that Badal was resorting to such threats as he apprehended threat to his government. He advised the Chief Minister to shed his “sectarian mindset”, lest it harmed Punjab. Amarinder Singh pointed out that more people had died in the state owing to drug trafficking “patronised” by the Badal government than at the hands of militants. “ It is time to think and take action and not resort to political blackmail,” he added.

Amritsar: Taking exception to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s statement that the SAD-BJP alliance was a must for communal harmony in the state, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu today said senior politicians should desist from making such remarks.

Talking to mediapersons, she said: “Such comments only fuel communal feelings.” She claimed that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre would not allow anybody to vitiate peace in Punjab.

To a query, she said the post of Chief Minister and that of Deputy CM should not be occupied by members of one family.

This, she said was a violation of democratic norms. She alleged that the state government was unconcerned about the sentiments of the BJP workers. That was the reason why they felt dejected.

Dr Sidhu said she would raise the issue of slashing bus fares at the party platform. “Now that the diesel prices have declined, the government must ensure the common man is benefited too,” she added.

‘Good if alliance snaps’       

Ludhiana: Former Health Minister Satpal Gosain, reacting to the Chief Minister’s statement, said: "If the alliance breaks, it will be a relief for the people.” He claimed that no harm would come as trade and industry would get a freash lease of life. The economic condition of the state would improve too and the state would progress." Gosain claimed that the BJP, being a partner in the SAD-led government, had to bear the brunt of the “wrong policies” of the Akalis.