The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal has lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress and described them as the forces inimical to Punjab whereas the SAD-BJP government has carried out record development during previous 9 years owing to its progress oriented roadmap. He also said that the politics being practiced by the likes of AAP and Congress is centered solely on acquiring power for which they are even ready to destroy the social fabric of the state.Addressing a vast gathering during the sangat darshan programme of 60 panchayats of Fazilka area, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Punjab government has made the state power surplus, improved the road infrastructure and implemented various welfare schemes successfully in order to ensure that the living standard of the people of state is further up-lifted. Making a special mention of the atta-dal scheme, free power, shagan scheme and health insurance scheme, he elaborated that the health insurance scheme recently commenced by the state government is proving to be a game changer with over 40 lakh people having been brought under its ambit.
He further said that under the scheme, every month 25000 people are availing treatment facilities and in the 2 month period, beneficiaries have availed free treatment worth Rs. 65 crore.Interacting with the media-persons on the occasion, S. Badal said that AAP Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is knowingly trying to vitiate the atmosphere of Punjab and defaming Punjab and Punjabi’s. Branding kejriwal as a person ignorant of the history, culture and traditions of the state, S. Badal said that kejriwal is trying to sugarcoat the Punjabi people to lure them into his trap. Cautioning kejriwal to desist from his nefarious activities, S. Badal advised him to forget dreaming about capturing power in Punjab and instead concentrate his energies on improving the lot of Delhi.Replying to a question, he said that the statement about insistence on taking sworn affidavits from its own leaders and workers has amply proved that congressmen don’t trust each other and in such a condition what good would Captain Amarinder Singh do for the state.
He appealed to the people to beware of both Congress and AAP and give hat-trick chance to the SAD-BJP government to serve the state. He also said that the politics of AAP and Congress is centered on ‘Will Do’ while the SAD-BJP has already accomplished remarkable feats.The Deputy Chief Minister also distributed cheques of developmental grants to the 60 panchayats of Fazilka area and listened to the problems of the panchayats. Instructing senior officers present on the spot to redress the problems, S. Badal disclosed that the Punjab government is focusing specially on the all round development of the border areas in order to ensure that the residents of such areas do not have to encounter any difficulties.Earlier, before the beginning of the sangat darshan programme, Health Minister Punjab, Mr. Surjit Kumar Jyani welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister and said that the state government has paid special attention to the development of this border area thereby up-lifting the standard of living in these places.
He said that the congress had neglected the Fazilka constituency but the SAD-BJP government has worked wonders for the constituency and carried it towards the pinnacle of progress.Among those present on the occasion were, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, Senior SAD leader Satinderjit Singh Manta, Deputy Commissioner Isha Kalia, SSP Narinder Bhargav, District President Gurpal Singh Grewal, Chairman Punjab Agro Ashok Juneja, BJP leader Rakesh Sehgal, President Truck Union Paramjit Singh Pamma Vairar, Chairman Market Committee Vinod Bajaj, SGPC member Gurlal Singh Danewalia, District BJP Vice-President Paramjit Singh Shera, BJP Mandal President Kanwar Sen & Om Parkash, Block President Sukhmandar Singh, Youth leader Satinder Singh Sawi Kathpal and President Municipal Council Rakesh Dhooria.