Sisodia visits flood-hit areas, asks Centre to shun politics, help Punjab

AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia on Tuesday said a permanent solution was needed to deal with floods in Sultanpur Lodhi, which had repeatedly been ravaged by nature’s fury over the years.

Sisodia is the first national AAP leader to visit flood-affected areas of the state. He said the state government was working earnestly and was ready to deal with the floods. He asked the Centre to rise above politics and extend help to the state.

Sisodia visited flood-affected villages of Sultanpur Lodhi along with Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, AAP Sutanpur Lodhi halka in-charge Sajjan Singh Cheema and several others.

Sisodia said the entire AAP leadership, Punjab ministers and MLAs, Seechewal and his volunteers were offering their services to help the flood-hit.

He said the flood relief work was a testimony to the spirit of Punjab. Seechewal raised the issue of debt-ridden farmers of the region with Sisodia, who assured him that he would take up the matter with the state government.

Accompanied by Seechewal and Cheema, the former Delhi Deputy CM went to Baupu Jadid and Sangra villages on a boat. He stayed in the flood-affected areas for an hour.

Sisodia said, “It’s a natural disaster; it’s difficult to say when the water will recede. The weatherman has issued a high alert for the next two-three days. However, the state government, the party leaderhsip and volunteers are doing their best to reach out to those affected.”

Sisodia said, “During this natural calamity, we are seeing how people are helping each other. ‘Isko Punjabiyat kehte hain, ye Punjab ka spirit hai (this is Punjabiyat and the spirit of Punjab).”

Sisodia said the government was committed to taking steps to prevent repeat of floods and would seek guidance from Seechewal in this regard.

On aid from the Centre, Sisodia said, “Everyone has chipped in. I am sure the Centre will also rise above politics and extend help to the state.”