First flight lands amid show of strength by SAD,Cong

While Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal,who travelled in the flight,claimed that this was the result of efforts put in by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal,MP Manish Tewari remarked: “While parties should unite on all developmental tasks,it is not right and does not befit the Akali leaders who are trying to plant their flag on a task accomplished entirely by the Congress.” Tewari,too,travelled in the flight along with senior MP Sukhdev Singh Libra and other Congress leaders. Those who accompanied Sukhbir were former MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa,sitting MPs Avinash Rai Khanna,Paramjit Kaur Gulshan,Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala,Sher Singh Gubaya and former MLA Bikramjit Singh Majithia. The service is back after a gap of over ten years.

The jostling for welcoming their respective leaders began early in the day with Akali and Congress supporters trying to enter the airport in large numbers. The area police and the airport authorities faced a tough time keeping them at bay. They allowed only 20 supporters from each party inside. The ruling party,however,managed to bring in more.

However,as Ludhiana MP and national spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee Manish Tewari walked out of the Ludhiana airport,after alighting from the maiden flight,towards the venue of the public function organised to mark the occasion,even the Akali workers standing on either sides of the road cheered and showered flowers at him. Acknowledging their gesture Tewari waived to them and expressed his gratitude for the honour showered on him. Tewari said even the Akalis had realised as to who had been serious and sincere about resuming the flight between Ludhiana and Delhi which had stopped in 1999 during the Akali regime.

Tewari said: “It is the right of every Congress supporter to be here today,for it is because of our party that this flight is here. It is sad to see that the Akalis are trying to take credit for the success.”

When asked whether the two separate success rallies being held were a result of provocation,he said: “The manner in which the Akalis are behaving,it does call for a reaction.” “Why is it that they could start the flights only now. Why not earlier?” Tewari asked. He added: “They have been in power for over three years now and had their representative from Ludhiana in Parliament earlier too.”