SAD leaders flay Congress for dividing Punjab on regionalism

Chandigarh, Oct 6 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal today lambasted Congress for ''trying to divide Punjab on regional lines by propagating that one region in Punjab was getting more share than other in development projects''.

Taking a serious view of the reported statements of Congress leaders in a section of the press saying that Malwa was getting more development projects than Majha and Doaba, SAD leaders Rattan Singh Ajnala, Bikram Singh Majithia and Gulzar Singh Ranike today said these statements exposed the divisive policy being perpetuated by Congress leadership to divide Punjab on regional lines.

They termed the accusation totally baseless, politically motivated, factually incorrect and highly misleading and said the Congress leaders were trying to ''scuttle the efforts of the SAD-BJP Government to ensure overall and balanced growth of the State''.

They also blamed the previous Congress regime for grossly ignoring the interests of the state due to their political and vested motives.

"Except making tall claims and false promises, the Congress Government failed on every front be it agriculture, industry, infrastructure, social security and education", the SAD leaders said.

The road infrastructure all over in the state was all set to undergo a major transformation with Eight Lane Expressways connecting Mohali and Chandigarh with Phagwara, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda and Ferozepur and four-lane access to all the other major destinations in the state.

The SAD-BJP government had released Rs 165 crore for development of the holy city of Amritsar besides the government had expedited the work on various infrastructure projects under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission from Amritsar city.

The leaders also categorically said that the SAD-BJP government during its last tenure executed the prestigious projects of Rajasansi International Airport and Pushpa Gujral Science City at Kapurthala.

Asking the Congress leadership to tender a public apology, the SAD leaders said that their government was committed to make Punjab No.1 state in terms of development index and was committed to ensure planned and equitable development of all sections and regions of Punjab.

They further urged the Congress leaders to play the role of "constructive opposition" rather than restricting to making such irresponsible and divisive statements.

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