Sidhu being victimised in Cong, welcome to join us: Khaira

Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, June 8

Stating that Navjot Singh Sidhu was being victimised by the Congress for telling the truth, Punjabi Ekta Party founder Sukhpal Khaira on Saturday welcomed the Punjab minister to join the alliance. 

Khaira said the three regional parties of the Punjab Democratic Alliance shall be merged in the coming days. Khaira also sought the stopping of release of Punjab waters to Pakistan.

Addressing the media here, Khaira said in the coming two days, a unity committee would be formed under which all three regional parties of the PDA – Nava Punjab Party, Lok Insaaf Party and Punjbai Ekta Party — shall be merged and will have a common symbol.

Speaking on Sidhu, Khaira said, “He is being victimised by the Congress. He spoke the truth. But due to political understanding between Captain Amarinder Singh and the Badals, he is being targeted. The Congress tried to insult him. While portfolios of ministers who lost haven’t been changed, Sidhu’s portfolio was changed. We appeal to him to still stick to the truth. If he bids goodbye to the Congress, he is welcome to join us. We will respect him.”

Before Khaira, the Taksali Akali Dal had also extended invitation to Sidhu a few days ago.

Speaking on unity of PDA’s Punjab parties, Khaira said, “Post elections it is a common request that Punjab’s three regional forces, which are fighting on truth – should get together under one banner. So our call is for ‘Ik nishan, ik vidhan, ik pardhaan’ (one symbol, one principle, one leader). It has been unanimously decided that a unity committee shall be formed and will decide on the issue. While respective leaders will hold talks in the first phase, we also welcome others to join in.”

Khaira said, “We are also willing to talk to Taksali Akali Dal them to expand the alliance.” He said in the larger fight against the Congress and BJP he was also willing to talk to the AAP.  

‘Stop release of water to Pak’

Sukhpal Khaira said his party and the PDA shall be adopting the Buddha Nullah and starting a cleanliness campaign in the coming days. He also called for the suspending the release of “15,000 to 20,000 cusecs of Punjab waters per day” to Pakistan even as the state reels under a crisis.

He said, “The PDA will the help of various organisations shall be adopting the toxic Buddha Nullah which is leaving a trail of cancer. We will be carrying out a campaign, wherein research about the industries would be carried out and information regarding polluting industries shall be revealed. He said the campaign shall be expanded to include the river waters of the state which are currently facing a huge crisis.”

Khaira also called for the Congress and Akali Dal to seek pending dues from Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi for sharing waters with them. He said the government had failed to honour the resolution passed in the Vidhan Sabha on November 16, 2016.

“While state’s canals were empty, 15,000 to 20,000 cusecs of water is being shared with Pakistan. This should stopped immediately,” he added.