Punjab: AAP’s move to acquire 24,311 acres land to hit common man too: SAD

The decision of the state Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to acquire 24,311 acres of fertile land from 32 villages for developing an urban estate will not only harm farmers but also adversely impact the common man and urban dwellers. It was stated by advocate Parupkar Singh Ghumman, Shiromani Akali Dal’s candidate for the upcoming byelection from the Ludhiana West constituency, while addressing mediapersons.

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He alleged that the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was committing a massive scam under the guise of development to weaken the state’s economy and identity. Ghumman claimed that there was a suspicion that the AAP government plans to embezzle Rs 125 lakh crore and divert Punjab’s wealth to Delhi, which will be a betrayal with the people of Punjab.

He stated that the SAD would never allow such a betrayal of farmers and citizens.

He said on Wednesday at 9:30 am, a massive protest would be held outside the GLADA office on the Ferozepur road, where a memorandum of demands would also be submitted.

Ghumman emphasised that the government was spreading misinformation and claiming that the acquisition was beneficial for farmers, which was false. He accused the AAP government of deceiving the people again and warned that it would cause big harm to the common man.

He said Punjab’s economy, which ranked second in the country in 2017, has now fallen to 26th position. He underlined that agriculture was the backbone of the state’s economy and any attack on land and farming would gravely affect trade and livelihood.

“I will fight a legal battle for all state residents free of cost if the government will acquire even an inch of their land,” the SAD candidate said.

He concluded by saying that the state government was using all tactics to ruin Punjab but the SAD would never tolerate it. He asserted that Wednesday’s grand protest would dismantle the anti-Punjab agenda of the Bhagwant Mann-led government.

Bureaucracy favouring AAP candidate

Ghumman alleged that despite the election code of conduct has been imposed, government

officers were blatantly ignoring candidates of other parties and openly favouring AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora.

He alleged that all his election hoardings which were installed even on private buildings were removed by the MC while hoardings of the AAP candidate were still displayed. “The SAD has filed a number of complaints with the Election Commission about violations by AAP and the Congress,” he added.