Not aware of Barnala’s intentions to join SAD: CM

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday said that he was completely unaware of the reported intentions of former chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala to rejoin the SAD.

Interacting with the media after inaugurating a Rural Science Congress,organised by the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) at the Dashmesh Girls College of Education,Badal said that he had no inkling of reports that Barnala,current president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal),was planning to rejoin the Akali Dal. He then went on to comment on allegations of political vendetta,by stating that it was on record that the previous Congress government,led by Captain Amarinder Singh,had unleashed a reign of terror against the SAD leaders by registering false cases.

The chief minister also urged scientists at the convention to give due attention to issues like disposal of contaminated water from village ponds and cleaning of the rivers. Badal said the state government was doing its bit to strengthen science and technology infrastructure in the state.

He pointed out that the state government had set up the Pushpa Gujral Science City in Kapurthala at an investment of Rs 100 crore and which is visited by 4 lakh people every year.