PM urges voters to defeat divisive SAD-BJP alliance

Patiala, Feb 6 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called upon people of Punjab to elect Congress in Punjab for better future of the state and defeat divisive designs of the Akali Dal-BJP alliance which was creating an atmosphere of confrontation.

Addressing a rally at the Polo ground here, Dr Singh, wooing voters in support of Congress, cautioned the Punjabis not to fall into the trap of political parties which used religion to promote their ideology.

In his his 25-minute speech, the Prime Minister urged people of Punjab to once again vote Congress to power and strengthen the hands of Capt Amarinder Singh government to ensure a bright future for the state.

Stressing Punjab had lagged behind by 20 years due to its troubled past, Dr Singh said the loss cannot be overcome in just five years.

However, Dr Singh generously praised Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for carrying out developmental works and said if he were voted back to power, the state would certainly make further progress.

''The Amarinder Singh government has brought in infrastructural investment to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore . If you vote him back to power, he will bring more development to this state,'' Dr Singh said.

Playing the centre card, Dr Singh also sought to convince the voters that it was in their own interest to elect a Congress government as in the Centre too, the Congress was leading the UPA government.

The Prime Minister also introduced all the Congress candidates, including Capt Amarinder Singh from Patiala town, in the poll fray from the seven constituencies in the Patiala district.

MORE UNI