Badal to have cordial relations with UPA

Chandigarh, Feb 28 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Parkash Singh Badal today said he would maintain cordial relations with the UPA government at the Centre and will not follow the policy of 'political vendetta' as the outgoing Congress government in Punjab had done.

''The poll verdict in favour of the SAD-BJP alliance was a mandate for peace, harmony and development and we are committed to fulfill our promises enshrined in our manifesto,'' he said while addressing a press conference after being unanmiously chosen as leader of the SAD-BJP legislature party.

He declared the new government will seek cooperation from every section, including the main opposition party in the state so that a concerted efforts are made to get rid of poverty, backwardness, unemployment, economic and social disparities and inflation. The outgoing government had wasted much time in pursuing a policy of 'vendetta' against political opponents as a result Punjab was pushed backwards and was no more a progressive state in the country, he added.

''We will start an era of constructive economic, social and political cooperation in the state for the welfare of the people and development as Punjab belongs to all of us'' Mr Badal said. ''The mandate signals the start of a fresh dawn of hope and optimism based on consensus and conciliation, rather than confrontation,'', he said without refering to the views of outgoing Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who after his party's defeat yesterday, had stated the Congress would play the role of a constructive opposition.

The Akali leader said he would put development, rule of law and civilised values in public life back on course.''People have given us a direction to take Punjab forward,'' he added.

While indicating that repression had no place in a civilised democracy, he said he would expect every wing of the administration to understand this fact.

Thanking the people of Punjab for the overwhelming trust shown by them in the SAD-BJP alliance, Mr Badal said that this had only further increased his sense of responsibility.

Refering to the five-year tenure of the Capt Amarinder Singh government, he said Punjab was lying in a state of government neglect.

''Everything needs a comprehensive reconstruction and only a vision based on commitment to progress and all round development can help improve our state,'' he added.

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