CHAMKAUR SAHIB: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday dared the Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal to stop boasting about fake achievements of their government and explain that who will take the responsibility of the barbaric incident like Bargadi and lakhs of deaths of youth due to drugs which took place during their rule.
Addressing the gathering after giving a bonanza of several developmental projects to Chamkaur Sahib Assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that Sukhbir is very fond of boasting that a lot of development had taken place during their rule whereas he is mum over the incident of Bargadi where bullets were fired on innocent people or the drug menace which resulted in genocide of young generations is reflective of the long misrule of Akalis. He, while taking a jibe at Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, said that Badals had only worked for expanding their business without bothering about the state and its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the period from 2007-2017 was the darkest period of the state when Transport, cable, sand, drug and other mafias flexed their muscles in the state.
The Chief Minister said that it is on record that the drug menace spread its tentacles after it was patronized during the Akali regime. He said that the state government will adopt no leniency towards the ‘Jarnails’ who were the perpetrators behind the genocide of youth through the curse of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders not only used to patronize drug trade across the state but ironically they even sold/ supplied the drugs in their official government vehicles.
The Chief Minister said that known for their opulence- acquired through illegal means, these leaders are now demanding facilities in the jail. He categorically said that those responsible for laying the pyres of youth in Punjab don’t deserve any sort of comfort in jail as they have to pay for their misdeeds. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a thorough enquiry has reflected that these leaders have amassed huge wealth through the drug trade adding that strictest punishment will be ensured to them for this crime.
Targeting leaders of traditional parties who supported a former Akali minister currently in Nabha jail on drug charges, the Chief Minister said that it is shocking that Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh, and Ravneet Singh Bittu are openly speaking in his favour. He said that this exposes the collusion between traditional political parties adding that when in power, they’ve covered up each other’s wrongdoings. Bhagwant Singh Mann once again challenged them to make it clear to the people of Punjab that whether they are with the drug traffickers or against them.
The Chief Minister said that the traditional parties had mercilessly plundered the state and its people due to which they were ousted by the Punjabis. He said that all the big guns of these parties like former Chief Ministers Parkash Singh Badal and Charanjit Singh Channi, Akali leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Bikram Majithia and others were shown the door. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now these leaders are squabbling for power and are vying to outdo their rivals for the sake of power.