Badal keeps up attack on Kejriwal, questions AAP's performance

Muktsar (Pb), Oct 10: Terming AAP as a party of "hollow slogans and false promises", Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today dared Arvind Kejriwal to come out with any single contribution of AAP to the development of the state and the country in general.

"It is on record that AAP is just a bunch of opportunists and defectors who have left one party or another to acquire power so nothing good for the state and its people could be expected from these people," the five-time chief minister said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of 'Sangat Darshan' programme in Lambi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister alleged that Kejriwal was not even aware of the basics of agriculture and village life of the state.

He said the sole aim of AAP was to wrest political power in Punjab, which goes to polls early next year. Badal said that a state where majority of population resides in the villages could not be run by a party whose leaders were not acquainted to the problems faced by the people residing in villages.

Badal also claimed that the Delhi Chief Minister and other AAP leadership were ignorant about the basic topography of the state.

"Kejriwal is suffering from anti-Punjab mindset and the stand taken by his government on the issue of Satluj Yamuna Link Canal in apex court was a reflection of it. Affidavit by Delhi government headed by AAP in Supreme Court termed Punjab's stand on issue as unconstitutional and anti-national," Badal said.

He said that as Delhi Chief Minister hailed from Haryana "so he was naturally inclined towards safeguarding the interests of his state and wanted to snatch the waters of Punjab to benefit his own state (Haryana)." The Chief Minister exhorted the people to adopt a cautious approach while casting their vote as their verdict could make or mar the future of the state.

He said that SAD-BJP government's pro-poor initiatives included schemes like Atta-Dal, pension, Shagun, Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Beema Yojna and Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme.

Yesterday, Badal had dismissed Kejriwal's claim that SAD and Congress in Punjab were colluding to fight the state Assembly elections due next year, calling them as a "bunch of lies".

He had also said that "Kejriwal is suffering from anti-Punjab syndrome". Badal also launched a scathing attack on Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh, who is also the Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar, alleging he "has a proven anti-farmer and anti-poor track record".

The SAD leader addressed public gatherings in villages of Kattianwali, Karmpatti, Ratta Tibba, Mohlana and Rani Wala.

PTI