SAD, BJP up ante against govt

Tribune reporters

Ludhiana, June 12

Strongly criticising the functioning of the Congress government, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said it had lost the faith of the people by failing to take action in the sand mining scam, besides reneging on its promise to waive farmers’ loans as well as give jobs to each household and double social welfare benefits. The BJP-SAD today organised a dharna outside the Mini-Secretariat to protest against the misrule by the Congress government for the past three months since its formation.

He said the government had lost the trust of the people and the wrong acts of the government, including defending the illegal activities of Irrigation and Power Minister Rana Gurjit, were responsible for this. He said instead of sacking Rana Gurjit immediately after it became known that his cook and employees had bid for sand mine auctions worth Rs 50 crore, the government had tried to give a clean chit to the minister.

Union Minister and Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla, who was also present on the occasion, said the present government had proved itself to be the government of scandals within the three months of its formation.

Sukhbir, while addressing the protest rally, also warned officials of not falsely entangling SAD-BJP activists in cases. “If any worker is framed in a false case, we are ready to defend him/her and a battery of lawyers had already been engaged for the purpose,” he said.

“The law and order situation in the state has gone haywire so much so that a lady police constable had to commit suicide inside the police station at Ludhiana district,” said Sukhbir.

Seek Rana’s ouster

Moga: Demanding the dismissal of Rana Gurjit Singh from the state Cabinet, SAD-BJP workers held a protest outside the district administrative complex today.

Senior Akali leader and former minister Jathedar Tota Singh was conspicuous by his absence in the protest.

However, his son Barjinder Singh Brar, who is a senior leader of the youth wing of SAD, was present in the protest along with his supporters.

Moga Mayor Akshit Jain and his father former MLA Joginder Pal Jain were also not present. Rumours are going on in the political circles that they may join the Congress in the next couple of months. So far, no confirmation has been made by the Jain family in this regard.

Meanwhile, Brar alleged that the Congress government had lost the confidence of the people. The “mining scam” had exposed the Congress leadership. Instead of taking action against Rana Gurjit Singh, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh was himself protecting him.

‘Failure on all fronts’

Sangrur: Shiromani kali Dal along with local BJP leaders today protested in front of the Sangrur DC office against the alleged failure of the Congress government infulfilling the promises it made during the Assembly elections.

“The Congress government has failed within three months. All sections of society are protesting against the state Congress government. We will intensify our agitation if the government fails to take steps to fulfil its promises,” said Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former union minister and core committee member of the SAD.

SGPC chief leads protest in Patiala, CPI cries foul

Patiala: SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar led the protest against the Congress government held at the Patiala district complex in association with the SAD. Badungar said before the elections, Amarinder Singh promised that he would eradicate the drug menace within a month, but the government had failed to control the supply of drugs even after three months. He alleged that the properties of several gurdwaras were being usurped by ruling party leaders and their supporters at the behest of the state government. Meanwhile, the CPI on Monday flayed the SGPC for participating in a political protest. Dr Joginder Dayal, member of the National Executive of the CPI, said, “It is a dangerous trend that a body that represents a religious community participates in a protest call given by the SAD.”  Dayal said the SGPC shouldn’t act on behalf of a political party. CPI state secretary Hardev Arshi said the consequences of mixing politics and religion would be serious for society. TNS

In Ropar, Akalis vent ire at BJP leader 

Ropar: A SAD-BJP dharna against the state government witnessed commotion when MC members from Morinda led by civic body president Balwinder Singh Bajwa raised slogans against district BJP chief Yogesh Sood on Monday. The commotion started when Sood stood up to address the gathering.  SAD leaders, including Amritpal Singh Khatra, Jagpal Singh Jolly, Jagvinder Singh Punni, Parminder Singh Bittu Kang and Major (retd) Harjit Singh Kang, also raised slogans. TNS 

BJP gives dharna a miss

Tarn Taran: The SAD warned the police against registering false cases against party workers at the behest of the Congress government at a dharna on Monday. BJP workers were absent from the dharna, as the party had organised a programme in connection with the three-year rule of the NDA government. TNS