Badal proving himself to be congenital liar: Amarinder

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today hit out at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal alleging that it was he who had signed the file for land acquisition for Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in 1978 and by denying it, he is proving himself to be a "congenital liar".
"Didn't you (Badal) sign the file for the acquisition of land and didn't your friend the then Haryana Chief Minister Devi Lal proudly announce it in Haryana Vidhan Sabha that you had signed the file and all this is part of record now," he asked.
"Why can't you swear at Akal Takhat (highest temporal seat of the Sikhs) that you didn't sign it?" Amarinder said, and asked Badal why he did not refute Anandpur Sahab MP Prem Singh Chandumajra's statement "who confirmed that signing the SYL file, was an innocent mistake of Badal."

"You have always betrayed Punjab's interests for your personal interests and you signed the SYL file only to please your friend, Devi Lal, whom you used to describe as your foster brother," the Congress leader alleged.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister alleged that Amarinder was lying on SYL issue and said, "Everyone is aware of the fact that the plan to construct SYL canal was conceived and executed by the then Congress government, and the foundation of this sorrow of Punjab was laid by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi."
Badal said also that he "could not even dream" of approving any project which is against the interests of state and Amarinder is "blatantly lying" on this issue to "mislead" people.

On the new front formed by cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu along with former Indian Hockey captain Pargat Song among others ahead of next year's state election, Amarinder said, it is a democracy and everybody has right to contest and seek people's mandate.

"It is a sign of healthy and robust democracy that you have many contestants and contenders," he said, adding already there are so many political parties and formations and if one more is added, it will not make any difference.
"Congress is the only party which is secular, democratic and appeals to every section and segment of the society. No party can match its strength and appeal," Amarinder claimed.

Earlier addressing a volunteers' meet of 'Jago Punjab' campaign, Amarinder said, "No doubt Congress remains the strongest party in Punjab today, but that does not mean we should relax or lower our guard.