Cong keen to disturb peace in Punjab: Badal

Accusing Congress of "hatching a conspiracy" to derail the process of development and peace in Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the presence of its leaders in Sikh congregation 'Sarbat Khalsa' has exposed the party's plan to push the state back to turbulent times.
On the sidelines of Sangat Darshan programme in Khadoor Sahib assembly constituency here, he said the Congress was "hobnobbing with the separatist forces" to disturb the hard earned, peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the state.
He said the worst thing was that despite being aware of the development, the state Congress leadership refused to take any action against its leaders including former Khadoor Sahib MLA Ramanjeet Singh Sikki, who had attended the November 10 'Sarbat Khalsa' in Amritsar, from where talks of destabilising peace and progress of the state were made.

"This has vindicated our stand that the Congress was wary of a peaceful and prosperous Punjab just for its vested political interests," added Badal.
He said Punjab has scripted a new success story of development, peace and communal harmony during the regime of SAD-BJP alliance.
He said that former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh does not have a single contribution to his credit for development of the state.

Badal said that during the tenure of the SAD-BJP alliance, the state had initiated a large number of development projects, which were several times more than that of the Congress dispensation.
He said that state government has made stupendous efforts to curb the drug menace in Punjab. Not even a single ounce of drug was produced in the state but it was smuggled into the state from across the borders.

In his address, Sukhbir hailed the Chief Minister for
strengthening communal harmony and brotherhood in the state besides preserving and promoting secular, cultural bonding among Punjabis.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Guru Ravidass memorial would be constructed at a cost of Rs 110 crore.
In his address, Union Minister Vijay Sampla said the entire Scheduled Caste community would remain indebted to the state government for taking this initiative and the community would pay back by supporting the alliance in the upcoming polls.
He said both central and state governments were making efforts to ensure that the interests of community were protected.

State BJP chief Kamal Sharma said both the central and the state governments have undertaken "path-breaking" initiatives to ensure welfare of weaker sections of society.