CHANDIGARH: Slamming the opposition for politicizing the issue of floods, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday said that the people of the state will never forgive these insensitive and opportunist politicians for their betrayal towards the state and its residents.
Winding up the discussion during a special session on the floor of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that instead of giving a healing touch during the floods these so-called experienced politicians of the state are spitting venom against the government. He said that these politicians are only politicizing this issue for the sake of their vested political interests which is unwarranted and undesirable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that when the people of state were running pillar to post for relief and rehabilitation in the floods these politicians were desperately making efforts to hog media limelight.
The Chief Minister said that this special session was convened to discuss the rehabilitation of the state in the aftermath of floods but due to myopic mindset of these leaders it has been reduced to a platform of criticism. He said that Punjab is a blessed land and has a tendency to rise from ashes but such backstabbers have always tried to ruin it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the natural disasters even bowed before the hard work and determination of the Punjabis adding he cited the Battle of Saragarhi, Battle of Longewala and others to apprise about the bravery of the Punjabis.
The Chief Minister said that whenever the country has faced any problem or difficulty Punjab has saved the country whether it was making the country self-reliant in food production, safeguarding its borders or even in national freedom struggle. However, he said that when Punjab faces any problem the Union government becomes insensitive to our problems and leaves us to face it on our own. Bhagwant Singh Mann cited that after the Dinanagar attack Punjab was asked to pay the price for the Indian Army, which had come to neutralize the terror attack from across the border.
Giving a clarion call to all the Punjabis to unite in this hour of grave crisis, the Chief Minister said that it is the need of the hour to rebuild the state adding that if needed he will not hesitate to stage a protest outside the residence of the Prime Minister for the sake of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is not afraid of the misuse of the central agencies to muzzle the voice of democracy and will continue to fight for safeguarding the interests of the state. He said that it is the need of the hour as history will remember all those who worked for the welfare of the state in this hour of crisis and the others who created obstacles.
The Chief Minister said that this is the time when all of us should join hands and sink our differences to steer Punjab and its people out of this grave crisis. He said that all the leaders should use their influence to help the people of the state to come out of this crisis adding that it is the real service of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that with the concerted efforts of the state government and support of all the philanthropists the day is not far when Punjab will re-emerge as the frontrunner state in the country.