Differences behind us,all leaders are with me: Partap Singh Bajwa

With Capt Amarinder Singh said to be still sulking at his removal,how effectively can the Congress play the role of opposition?

I dont think he is sulking. All leaders are aware that unless we live up to the expectations of the common man and our workers,we may not get another chance. Internal differences are a thing of the past and all leaders are with me. As for some leaders who are not coming forward,give me some more time,a month,and they too will be there. MLAs who were earlier not attending party functions are now participating with enthusiasm. The pressure of the cadre is also working to bring them around. On my part,I have made it clear that I have no group. I respect all seniors while the youngsters know they will be given a fair chance.

It is felt Dalits voted largely for the SAD-BJP alliance. How do you plan to regain their support?

I think the reason was that in the five years we were in opposition,we failed to take up their problems in a big way. Earlier,we had kept quiet when Dalits were oppressed. As a result Dalits moved away from us. My plan is to help new Dalit leaders emerge and expose the governments anti-Dalit policies.

Your party has alleged a vendetta against its workers by the government. How are you handling it?

We have set up a helpline for Amritsar district,which is among the worst affected due to the influence of Bikram Singh Majithia. A team of 25 advocates is there to help our people. We are working to establish similar helplines in other districts too. The government is trying to prevent Congressmen elected as representatives of local bodies and panchayati raj institutions from functioning. We will give a befitting but non-violent reply to these attempts.

You have accused the government of not implementing the poll manifesto. What are those promises?

They promised voters the moon knowing well the state didnt have the resources. The reason was fiscal mismanagement by the previous government. Financial institutions have stopped lending money8230; They promised Rs 1,000 a month each to 65 lakh unemployed youth; old age and widow pension was to be doubled. These have not been done. They have no money to provide the promised free laptops to XI and XII students. Over 27,000 girls married in the last two years have not been given the Rs 15,000 promised under the shagun scheme,not to mention the promise to raise the amount. All social schemes have been curtailed or put on hold.

But the chief minister has spent Rs 38 crore on a new helicopter,his son Sukhbir Badal spent over Rs 11 crore on a kabaddi tournament,and they spent Rs 8-10 crore on this gimmick of a chintan shivir in Goa for party MLAs.

What would you call the governments biggest failure?

It is not just one issue8230; The Badal clan is controlling everything from sand and bajri to transport and cable TV network8230; While SGPC is supporting the movie Sadda Haq,the government has banned it. They are running with the hare and hunting with the hounds.