Badal invokes memories of Tohra to win votes

Devigarh, Patiala, Nov 27 (UNI) Invoking memories of former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief, the late Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Parkash Singh Badal today said he missed an ''old friend who had a massive support base.'' ''When Tohra sahib was alive I did not worry about Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts,'' he said while a addressing a political rally organised by Harmel Singh Tohra, son-in-law of Mr Tohra who remained at the helm of SGPC affairs for three decades.

Mr Tohra had the potential to win over the masses with his own style and he shared his responsibility, he said while announcing the candidature of Mr Harmel Singh Tohra from Dakala assembly constituency for the next assembly polls.

Attacking the Congress-led government in the state, Mr Badal said the primary responsibilities of the government like basic healthcare and education had been totally ignored. He alleged that due to the flawed policies of the Congress government, unemployment, crime and drug addiction were on the rise.

He said if SAD-BJP government was voted back to power, it would offer special incentives to the industry. He said mega project deals signed by the present Congress regime were against the interests of the state and an inquiry would be ordered if his party came to power.

Later talking to mediapersons, Mr Badal predicted that Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh would be defeated on his home turf as the people of Patiala and Punjab were fed up with his anti-people policies.

On the possibility of an electoral alliance with the BJP, he said the issue of seat sharing for the assembly polls would be sorted out amicably. He denied difference with the BJP on this issue.

UNI XC HS PK BD1927