Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed the SAD-BJP combine government in Punjab for its claims that they have transformed Punjab into California. While addressing a massive rally in Ferozepur this afternoon,Rahul ridiculed the Akalis for making tall claims regarding their achievements in the state. It is our government,which has sent Rs 18,000 crore for Guru Gobind Singh Refinery. We sanctioned a Central university in Bathinda,gave Rs 3,400 crore for development of the education sector in Punjab,upgraded and revamped the Amritsar International Airport. But I feel that your money is not reaching you, said Rahul,who reached the rally venue on Ferozepur-Zira road around 3 pm. He was accompanied by state party president Captain Amarinder Singh and other leaders. Mincing no words,Rahul pointed out that the Akali government was running news channels and indulging in scams at the cost of public money. Referring to the ongoing drugs menace in Punjab,Rahul asked Amarinder to take up the matter on priority,when the Congress government comes to power and Amarinder becomes the chief minister. Rahul also mentioned that the UPA government will soon launch a scheme,in which the government will provide every poor person in India at least 35 kg of ration/food every month. Rahul,also targeted the BJP for its recent Jan Chetna rally against corruption by saying that why could not the BJP see corruption in states like Karnataka,Uttarakhand and Punjab. People from most Assembly constituencies,including Zira,Ferozepur,Faridkot,Jalalabad,Guruharsahai and many nearby villages and towns had thronged the rally venue to catch a glimpse of Rahul. Before Rahuls address,Amarinder spoke about the promises made by the Congress in its manifesto. Be it providing wheat for Rs 1 per kg or sugar for Rs 3 per kg,Amarinder Singh made scores of announcements. These included setting up of five medical colleges in the state,three cancer hospitals and ensuring jobs to lakhs of youth. Amarinder,while targeting the SAD,told the gathering not to bow to any pressure and be ready to counter-attack in case anyone tries to change their vote. In his address,he even clearly hinted that if Congress comes to power,no such officer or politician,who falsely implicated Congress supporters and booked over 50,000 workers in false cases,will be spared.
