Badal assures free and fair bypoll at Dasuya

Talking to the media persons after presiding over a function here, the chief minister said the state Congress leadership was unnecessarily making a hue and cry over the interference of state government in the by-election.

"There was no truth in it, as it was the duty of the Punjab government to ensure that the elections are carried out in a peaceful and free manner," Badal said.

Replying to a query regarding the demand of Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh to deploy para military forces in Dasuya, he said, "I had no objection regarding the demand raised by the state Congress leaders."

However, he said that there was hardly any need for it.

Badal said the state Congress leadership was habitual of seeking para military forces for elections for the sake of getting publicity.

Condemning the recent proposal of the Union Government to impose tax on the funds or help sent by the NRIs in the state, the Chief Minister said it was an anti-people decision which would adversely impact the development of the state.

Badal said he would soon raise the matter with the Centre for scraping this decision.

When asked about the allegations of Congress leaders that he had deliberately prompted Congress legislature Mohammed Sadique to sing in state Assembly, Badal said the Congress leaders were needlessly raking up the issue.

Earlier addressing a gathering at the venue of the function, the Chief Minister said that the pollution was the biggest challenge faced by the people of the state in the recent times adding that the state government was committed for wiping out the air and water pollution from the state.