Sukhbir: Cong on blockade spree against development

The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday accused Captain Amarinder Singh of being on “a blockade spree” against all development projects and socio-religious initiatives such as heritage preservation endeavours and sports promotion in the state. “We have an inclusive and comprehensive vision,which covers all aspects of life. Development remains the centrepiece of that vision. This does not suit Amarinder whose sole claim to political relevance is the linguistic rowdyism that he indulges in. He should pay heed to the chief minister’s advice on how to conduct decent politics based on people’s issues”,Sukbhir said.

He further said that the state Congress president’s “nit-picking” of the Kabbadi World Cup typified his generally “destructive and obstructionist” approach to issues concerning the future of the people of the state. “As chief minister,he had got the work on the Bathinda Oil Refinery stopped to favour his friends and benefactors in Reliance and for five years,he put brakes on the most prestigious project of the Khalsa Panth,the Virasat-e-Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib. He is now threatening that if elected,he will stop the thermal plants and the Kabbadi World Cup”,the deputy chief minister said. “But the good thing is that he is never going to be in a position to destroy Punjab again. His bluff has been called and he is now crying himself hoarse like man haunted by an evil spirit,” he added.

Accusing the PCC chief of resorting to abusive and vulgar language against his rivals,Sukhbir said Amarinder has realised that he has already lost the game on the issue of governance and development . “He so desperately wants to shift our focus from agenda to abuses. He is trying in vain. The SAD-BJP,led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal,is driven by a mature vision and an unwavering commitment to rural and urban development,” he said.

The deputy chief minster asserted that the SAD-BJP combine would double the budget outlay for sports promotion in the state when it forms the government in February-March next year.