Akalis tried to divide state on communal lines: Capt

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 7

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on SAD chief Sukhbir Badal and his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal in Ferozepur and Bathinda constituencies, stating that “the corrupt and power-hungry couple” needed to be taught a lesson in these polls for their alleged bid to divide the state on communal lines.

Addressing a rally in Bhucho here, he asked the people to defeat such leaders “who used Punjab and their power for promoting their vested interests instead of the state’s welfare”. Seeking votes for Congress candidate Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the CM said, “They’ve made hotels and properties at the cost of Punjab’s people during their tenure. Even now, I have heard that Akali leaders are threatening people not to vote for the Congress. I know how to set them right. If they think they can go around scaring people into voting for SAD, they are mistaken. Muscle power and arm twisting does not work in a democracy. They will all be taught a lesson in these elections.”

He said these tactics showed that the Badals were “running scared in the face of imminent defeat”, as they knew they would have to face the consequences of their actions. He said those who allowed holy scriptures like Guru Granth Sahib, Geeta, Bible and Quran to be desecrated would not escape punishment. “Punjab has been through bad times, which the Badals tried to further aggravate with their divisive agenda and attempts to create hatred by allowing acts of sacrilege,” he added.

IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh will be back in SIT after the elections to take the probe in the sacrilege cases to its logical conclusion, warned the CM, adding that the Akalis could save themselves for two to three weeks, but not forever.