Punjab PR minister questions Amarinder's absence from state

Chandigarh, Apr 25 (UNI) Questioning former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh's absence from Punjab, state Public Relations Minister Bikram Majithia said here today that the recent outburts of against the SAD-BJP government were "signs of frustration as he was finding himself a loner in politics".

Mr Majitha said in a statement issued here that Capt Singh's charge of 'political vendetta' against the SAD-BJP government was "being made out of frustration". He sought to remind the former chief minister that it was his government that had launched a vilification campaign against political opponents.

"On the other hand the present government believed in the rule of law and had made it known that law would take its own course in every case", he said.

" If the former Chief Minister believed in the law of land and claimed himself to be innocent then why had be run away to London immediately after the election results", he asked.

Refering to the pre arrest bail sought by Capt Singh, the SAD leader pointed out that the former chief was fearing arrest in numerous scandals and scams in which he was involved. "The people of Punjab recognise his mega loot and his mega lies", he added.

Questioning Capt Singh's stay in New Delhi, Mr Majithia said that the former chief minister was missing at the unveiling of statues of Congress leaders earlier this month and later during the Baisakhi function at Talwandi Sabo, which is an auspicious event for all Punjabis.

Mr Majithia said that the fact was that Capt Singh was facing political isolation as not only had people of Punjab given a drubbing to Congress party but even his own partymen in Punjab had shut all doors to him. Finding himself a loner in politics today, Capt Singh was issuing meaningless statements against the present government which only showed his frustation.

The minister said that Capt Singh lacked vision and during his regime, Punjab had slipped from top slot in the country to fifth slot, with economic growth dipping to less than 1.9 per cent. No welfare measures were announced by his government and people of all segments suffered humiliation, he said while refering to suicides by farmers, increasing debt and flight of industry from Punjab.

Mr Majithia said that people of Punjab would remember Capt Singh as a leader " lacking vision and ideology and one who was surrounded by a corrupt coterie and one who had deserted the state after he lost power".

He advised the former chief minister to quit active politics as he and the Congress party had been rejected by the people. Instead of speaking of political vendetta, the former chief minister should explain all his misdeeds, he added.

UNI