Akali-BJP started wave of development: Sampla

Union Minister and Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla today said that the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal alliance has initiated a wave of development in the state.
Launching the second phase of his 'Vijay Sankalp Rath Yatra' after paying obeisance at Keshgarh Sahib here, he said the developmental works would continue if the BJP-SAD combine form the government again in the state.
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sampla said that the Union government had taken historic and brave decisions under his leadership.
"The Central government brought in progressive policies and the state's Akali-BJP coalition government has carried out developmental works. Hence only the Akali-BJP combine has the right to seek votes from voters of Punjab", he said.

Slamming Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh, Sampla said, "He has no time to meet the people of his state".
He said that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lacked vision and it is a party of "addicts and greedy people".

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Meanwhile at Phagwara, Vijay Sampla claimed response to the ongoing 'Vijay Sankalp Rath Yatra' proved beyond doubt that SAD-BJP alliance is all set to form government in Punjab for third consecutive time in the upcoming assembly polls.
Sampla, heading the Yatra that began from Hussainiwala Firozpur on December 29 and will continue till January 8, said that its purpose was to galvanise party workers and highlight the development ushered in by the Centre and Badal government in Punjab.

"During Congress-led UPA government, a scam after every ten days used to surface in the country. Now during Modi government, a development project surfaced after every ten days."
Admitting demonetisation did cause some problem to people, Sampla, however, asserted that a bitter pill was necessary to treat the ailment.
Claiming that religion was a way of life for people in India, Sampla maintained that it was important for having sobering and sublimating impact on people, including politicians.
He however, emphasised that religious shrines should not be directly involved in politics.
Meanwhile, factionalism in local BJP reigned high even during welcome of Sampla-led Yatra.

While Sampla faction, led by contender of party ticket from Phagwara, Mohan Lal Banga, welcomed it outside Vishavkarma temple on Banga road, his arch rival faction, led by sitting party MLA Som Parkash and joined by Akalis, welcomed it near Basra palace.
Both groups raised slogans for their respective leaders.
At one time, both the groups almost confronted each other but nothing untoward happened.
Som Parkash addressed workers from atop the 'rath' along with Sampla.
Taking dig at Mohan Lal, who had joined BJP recently, Som Parkash assured his supporters that party high command will not oblige turncoats with a ticket.

But Sampla did not touch the issue in his address.