by Punjabnewswire4u.blogspot.com
JAGROAN (LUDHIANA), FEB 23
Patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave a clarion call to the Punjabis to be ready for the third decisive battle of independence to oust the most corrupt and inefficient Congress led UPA government from the centre by fully backing and supporting the NDA’s Prime Ministerial candidate Mr. Narendra Modi.
Addressing a mammoth gathering here at the historic ‘Fateh Rally’ jointly organized by the SAD-BJP alliance, the Chief Minister said that the winds of change were strongly blowing in favor of the NDA and now it was the most opportune time to strengthen the hands of Mr. Modi for the overall development and welfare of the people of Punjab. Sensing the political mood in favor of NDA, Mr. Badal said that the popularity wave of Gujarat Chief Minister was so vibrant that it would certainly swept the National Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Mr. Rahul Gandhi, as both would lose the electoral battle from their ancestral bastions. He mentioned that the Punjabis had fought two such battles earlier firstly during the national freedom struggle in getting our motherland free from the shackles of British and secondly against the countrywide oppression and tyranny unleashed by the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi during the black days of ‘Emergency’ in 1975. Mr. Badal said that Punjabis played a stealer role in both these battles and now they were being looked forward by the nation to throw the UPA government for its widespread corruption, unemployment, poverty, inflation and above all jeopardizing the nation’s sovereignty from the external and internal aggression.
The Chief Minister assured Mr. Modi that all the 13 Parliamentary seats would be captured by the SAD-BJP alliance to strengthen his hands for the formation of NDA government at centre. He called upon Mr. Modi if NDA was voted to power then he should play a vital role for strengthening the federal structure to enable the states to perform better as now the UPA government had usurped most of the powers assigned to the states thereby gradually diluting the true spirit of constitution from federal to unitary one. Mr. Badal also impressed upon the Gujarat Chief Minister that once he assume the office of Prime Minister then the saga of continued discrimination by centre against Punjab in every field especially agriculture and industry would surely be a story of past.
Demanding an enquiry from a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister asked Mr. Modi to get it thoroughly probed to ascertain which were the inimical forces who actively involved in hatching conspiracies against the interests of Punjab be it political, religious and economic adding that this was all the more important to stop the blame game and acquaint the innocent people of Punjab with the bare facts, as who were the real culprits which halted the state’s overall development and progress. He also demanded that the perpetrators of 1984 Sikh genocide must be brought to the book as they were evading arrests in connivance with the top political bosses of Congress led UPA government adding he said the cases against the guilty which had been arbitrarily closed or not opened on one pretext or another must be reopened so that law of land could take its own course and the justice so far eluded to the victims of 1984 carnage for the last 30 years must be delivered, without any further delay.
Seeking an economic package for the revival of industry in the state by the NDA government when voted to power, the Chief Minister said that Punjab’s industry had been completely ruined due to the apathy of UPA which had extended similar packages to the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Likewise, he also demanded a separate Union budget for agriculture on the lines of Railway budget as nearly 70% of the country’s population was dependent on it.
Recalling the ties of Mr. Modi with Punjab during mid 1990s when he was the incharge of BJP affairs in state, the Chief Minister said that he was fortunate here to serve the Punjabis during his political assignment and was straight way elevated to Chief Minister. Wishing him a bright future ahead, he announced from this sacred land of great saints besides martyrs and patriots like Punjab Kesri Lala Lajpat Rai and Kartar Singh Sarabha, that Mr. Modi would certainly adore the office of Prime Minister of the country after the ensuing general elections. In a lighter vain Mr. Badal said that he was making this statement with confidence and certainty though he was not an astrologer but definitely a political soothsayer.
Taking a swipe at Mr. Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister said that young Nehru-Gandhi scion was a novice in politics and totally inexperienced in handling the national affairs at the helm of Prime Minister’s office whereas he lauded Mr. Modi for his political statesmanship and unbounded administrative capacities and capabilities. Mr. Modi was the fittest person to steer the country from the tempest of corruption, maladministration and decade long misrule of UPA government.
Addressing the rally Shiromani Akali Dal President and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal exhorted countrymen and Punjabis to unite on a joint forum to drub country's worst ever rule of Congress led UPA at center after Independence in ensuing Lok Sabha polls. He asserted that widespread move of electorates has confirmed that NDA would register a massive victory in this 'national political war', which has already been initiated against Congress party in the country. Congratulating Mr. Narendra Modi, the SAD president reminded him that when he was the incharge of BJP's Punjab affairs in 1995, he had been coronated as Gujarat CM immediate after returning from Punjab, a land of Gurus, Prophets and great martyrs. "Earlier he had been enthroned as Gujarat CM and now he again visiting Punjab as BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate leading the NDA and he would definitely be enthroned as the next Prime Minister", said Mr Badal.
Describing Mr. Narendra Modi as most suitable, decisive leader with a rich political and administrative experience, the SAD President said only Modi could be savior of country and its interests. Lashing out at Congress, Mr. Badal said "it has not only looted the Country but also inflicted unprecedented inflation upon poverty stricken people, ruined the industry and farming sectors and now there was a single option with the electorates to save the country that was Mr. Narendra Modi".
Mr. Badal lamented that throwing away the enormous sacrifices made by great martyrs, brave soldiers and farmers of Punjab, the Congress party at Center especially Gandhi family were constantly and deliberately sticking to their discriminatory attitude towards Punjab. The Deputy CM said this approach of Gandhi family and Congress has put the Punjab far behind in various sectors but it was the right time to teach this anti-Punjab and anti-Punjabis Party an 'unforgettable political lesson' in ensuing Lok Sabha polls. He said the wounds of 1984 Sikh pogrom victims were still simmering even after 30 years but the Congress party and Gandhi family was adamant to shield those party leaders who were directly involved in Sikh carnage by halting the justice.
Giving a clarion call to wage another political war against Congress after emergency, he asked the SAD-BJP workers to put their all strengths for exemplary canvassing in favour of NDA candidates, which was sufficient to oust Congress led UPA from national political arena.
Reiterating his commitment to develop Punjab as No.1 state in the country, Mr. Badal said within next three years the Power surplus Punjab would witness complete transformation in all sectors with high development rate in infrastructure, road and air connectivity, 100 percent sewerage and water supply besides Industrial, farming and IT revolution. He also said that SAD-BJP government has initiated several welfare schemes to provide benefits to the needy sections of society, scholarships to students, free treatment to patients and free power to farmers besides providing pensions to widows, physically challenged, under privileged.
In his address Mr. Narendra Modi lauded the role of Punjabi farmers in turning the barren land of Kutch into lush green fields through their sweat and toil. He asked the people to be beware of the false propaganda spread by their political rivals for their narrow vested interests that the Punjabi farmers settled in Gujarat would be displaced. Mr. Modi reiterated that none of Punjabi farmers would be dislocated and if at all any officer/ official was found responsible for their ouster would have to leave Gujarat. He categorically said that the people of Punjab especially the farmers settled in Kutch had also exercise the same right over Gujarat as I being its citizen and the Chief Minister.
Mr. Modi said that prior to becoming the Gujarat Chief Minister he had hardly any administrative experience being a political functionary but learnt so many traits of administrative functioning in public life besides humility from Mr. Badal. He appreciated Mr. Badal for his concern for welfare of farmers and said that recent initiative of holding Progressive Punjab farmer summit would go a long way in transforming the conventional agriculture in Punjab on the path of scientific farming. Mr. Modi said that people of Punjab were fortunate to have a perfect blend of experienced leader like the Chief Minister to safeguard the interest of farming community, poor and weaker sections of society and his son Deputy Chief Minister with a modern outlook for industrial growth, IT and urban development.
Realizing the plight of state farmers, the Gujarat Chief Minister said that their destiny could only be transformed if the Food Corporation of India was trifurcated into three entities for procurement, management and distribution of food grains. Mr. Modi also emphasized the need to enhance the income of farmers through value addition. Likewise he also advocated that India could only prosper and develop provided that one third of its resources were equally earmarked from Agriculture, Manufacturing and service sector.
Earlier speaking on the occasion National BJP President Mr. Rajnath Singh said that SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab was not merely a political dispensation but it was a symbol of Hindu-Sikh Unity. Appreciating the Chief Minister as tallest leader of Indian polity and a messiah of peasantry, he assured Mr. Badal that when the NDA would come to power all the long pending issues of farmers would be resolved on the top priority. He also underscored the need to provide cheap loans at low rate of interest from two to three percent to the youth for enabling them to set up gainful self employed ventures
In his welcome address the state BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma said that this ‘Fateh Rally’ would rejuvenate the indomitable spirit of Punjabis to emerge triumphant in every sphere and the same would prove to be last nail in the coffin of Congress. He assured that the SAD-BJP alliance would win all the 13 Lok Sabha seats to further consolidate the position of NDA in centre.
On the occasion the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister also honored Mr. Modi with a sword, siropa, shawl and a model of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Lok Sabha MP from Bathinda Mrs. Harsmirat Kaur Badal and Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia were also present on the occasion.
