Rajiv Gandhi architect of Punjab peace,betrayed by Badal: Amarinder

“That is why he (Badal) did not accompany Sant LongowalJi,Surjit Singh Barnala and Balwant Singh to sign the accord. Had he (Badal) accompanied them,the dark era (of terrorism in Punjab) would not have prevailed that long and we would not have lost 35000 lives”,he claimed,adding that Badal was always “scared for life and always concerned about his personal gains.”

Addressing a rally organised here to mark the 67th birth anniversary of late Rajiv Gandhi,Amarinder said the late prime minister was always concerned about the peace in Punjab. “It was this concern that led him to bring Sant Harchand Singh Longowal on negotiating table and sign the (Rajiv-Longowal) accord,” he said while adding,“Those who betrayed the two leaders are now observing the death anniversary of Sant Longowal. Don’t they feel ashamed?”

Calling Badals “most corrupt” and ruling MLAs and ministers indulging in “massive scale corruption”,former chief minister said if Anna Hazare comes to know that Badals have joined his agitation,he would be embarrased.

“First you explain how you could build hotels worth Rs 2,000 crore with income from 80 acres of land and then take the moral high ground”,he questioned Badal.

Amarinder also took on the state government over the Gobinpdpura power plant land acquisition row and said that farmers were being paid less than the prevailing market rates. He alleged that beneficiaries who received the compensation cheques have complained of “arm twisting”.

Talking on the challenge posed to him by Badal in a newspaper interview to go for a wrestling bout with him,Amarinder remarked political fights are not fought in wrestling rings but with mind and vision.

Speaking on the occasion,leader of Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal also paid tributes to Rajiv Gandhi.