KHADOOR SAHIB: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today said the SAD was opposed to any move to impose President’s rule in Punjab and that Punjabis would deal with the corrupt and inefficient Congress government in line with democratic traditions.
The SAD President was reacting to queries about likely imposition of President’s rule following the severe security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ferozepur yesterday. Mr Sukhbir Badal visited the residences of senior leaders Alwinder Singh Pakhoke and Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala during his visit to the constituency in which he was accompanied by former minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura. He also lauded the services of Mr Pakhoke on the occasion and expressed his gratitude to him for extending wholeheartedly support to Mr Brahmpura’s candidature from this constituency.
Meanwhile while answering media queries Mr Badal said “the SAD is a strong votary of federalism and is principally opposed to central measures like imposition of President’s rule. “We believe it should be left to the Punjabis to shunt out this corrupt, scam tainted government which has not only failed on all fronts but is even incapable of maintaining law and order in the State”.
The SAD President also made it clear that a major security breach had occurred during the Prime Minister’s visit to the State and that chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi was squarely responsible for this. He said it was condemnable that the security lapses had not be enough identified till yet and due action had not been taken. “The State government should have given utmost importance to the security of the Prime Minister. This matter is beyond politics and should not be politicised”, he added.
Mr Badal said the manner in which the Congress government had politicised the State police force was also responsible for the current state of affairs. “The State has witnessed multiple change of officers at the top level including the State Police chiefs purely to satisfy the vendetta drive of the Punjab Congress against the SAD. This has led to a paralysis in the chain of command and the wanton politicisation of policing decisions”.
Asserting that Mr Charanjit Channi’s days as chief minister were numbered, Mr Badal said “we don’t need President’s rule to oust him from office. Punjabis are waiting eagerly to vote him and the Congress party out of power for failing to implement any of the promises made to the people besides taking the State into a state of jungle raj by patronising gangsters”.
Mr Badal also asserted that people realised that the SAD alone stood strong to protect their regional aspirations. “The SAD also has a proven track record of implanting each and every promise made to the people. We are committed to a
strong and stable government which will ensure peace, development and communal harmony”, he added.