Meetings with Modi, Shah courtesy call: Punjab CM Channi

Chandigarh, November 11

Taking on the Akali rank and file, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday termed it unfortunate that the SAD always saw everything through the “narrow prism of politics”, especially issues of utmost importance to Punjab such as devolution of powers to states, transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, besides the Anandpur Sahib resolution.

Accusing the Akalis of being power hungry, the CM said they always adopted the use-and-throw policy.

SAD Power hungry

The Akalis have joined hands with the BSP just to return to power. Earlier, they left BSP when BJP came into power at the Centre. —Charanjit Singh Channi, CM

Speaking during the 16th session of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister came all guns blazing at the Akalis, saying they were the gateway through which the RSS managed to make inroads into the state. “When the RSS and its political wing the BJP undermined the federal structure of the country by revoking Article 370, not only did the Akalis take sides with the BJP, but the SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal spoke in favour of the move and even went to the extent of not voting against the move,” said Channi, holding the Akalis responsible for imposition of such decisions on Punjab.

Effectively silencing the criticism hurled at him on meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Channi said his meetings with the two were a courtesy call. “Perhaps the Akalis have chosen to forget that I wrote to the Centre emphasising the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, besides pleading with it to roll back the three farm laws, which are striking at the very roots of the farming sector.”

The CM further apprised the House that during his meetings with the Centre on security issues, he took the consistent stand that the International Border should be sealed so that drugs could not enter Punjab. — TNS

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