Amarinder warns of polarisation over RSS

Congress' Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Amarinder Singh today said peace in Punjab could be threatened as the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) was holding shakhas in rural area which could lead to communal polarisation.
Expressing apprehension that holding of shakhas in rural areas of Punjab could lead to communal polarisation, Singh said "there could be reaction from certain quarters which can eventually threaten peace in the state."
He said BJP in Punjab cannot wriggle out at this stage even if it parts ways with Akalis as they have been partners in sins of omission and commission for all these years being part and parcel of the government.

The Amritsar MP suggested that the RSS leadership must reconsider its decision to hold shakhas in rural areas.
"This move has a potential to threaten peace in Punjab as it can lead to communal polarisation", he warned, while hoping that better sense will prevail among them.
Talking about reported differences between the Akalis and the BJP, the former Punjab Chief Minister said, the people of Punjab were disillusioned with the BJP as much as they are with the Akalis.

"They have got the best of the government and their leaders have been accused of corruption," he observed and added "it is immaterial now whether they fight along with Akalis are separately, people of Punjab will teach them a lesson in any case in the next elections".

He said, his party's stand on transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab was clear and there were no two opinions about it.
"It was Congress Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi who had signed the Accord with Sant Harchand Singh Longowal which gave Chandigarh to Punjab.
"He ridiculed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for raking up the issue when the survival of his government was threatened," Singh said.
Replying a question on Rs 5 Lakh compensation each to 1984 riots, Singh said, "they need justice".
He said, there was undue delay in delivering justice to the victims and judicial processes needs to be speeded up, as the investigations were over and the cases were pending in the courts.

He also demanded equal compensation for the victims of the terror violence.
Singh clarified that Congress party had already distanced itself from the opinion expressed by senior leader Digvijay Singh about Rahul Gandhi taking over as the party president.
He said, Sonia Gandhi is a fine leader and she is she best person to lead the Congress while Rahul Gandhi was performing an equally important role as the Vice President.
Singh made it categorically clear that the Congress was united in Punjab and said "certain issues pending resolution had been brought to the notice of the party high command which was aware of everything.