Punjab polls a fight between developmental, divisive forces: Badal

Hitting out at Congress, Badal alleged that Congress has "irrelevantly meddled" in affairs of Punjab

The next year's Assembly polls in Punjab would be a "direct fight" between the "development oriented" SAD-BJP alliance and the "divisive forces" led by Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, Chief Minister Parkash Singh said today.

Addressing a public gathering during a Sangat Darshan programme in Shutrana Assembly segment here, he said, "The people of the state would have to make a choice between the pro-Punjab SAD-BJP alliance and the anti-Punjab Congress and AAP."

Hoping that the people would reject Congress and AAP outrightly to pave way for SAD-BJP alliance to form government in the state for the third consecutive term, Badal exhorted people to exercise their franchise carefully as this election is very decisive as it may make or mar Punjab's future.

Hitting out at Congress, he alleged that Congress has "irrelevantly meddled" in the social, political, economic and even religious affairs of Punjab.

"In the past, Congress governments at the Centre had deliberately denied the state of Punjabi speaking areas, its capital Chandigarh and even its legitimate share in river waters," the Chief Minister alleged.

Claiming that Congress can never be forgiven for sins like Operation Blue Star and killing of innocent people in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, he alleged Congress is the perpetrator of a deep-rooted conspiracy to deprive Punjab of its waters by constructing the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

"The purpose of this canal was to ruin the state by snatching its only available natural resources. However, because of the state government's historic initiative to give land acquired for SYL back to its owners the issue is now dead, Badal claimed.

He also hit out at AAP alleging the party wants to push the state backward by creating "anarchy".

Badal said if the SAD-BJP alliance forms government in the state for the third consecutive term, it would formulate separate master plan for every town to give further fillip to its development agenda.

The government would ensure that every district, town and assembly segment is developed scientifically by equipping it with ultra-modern civic amenities, Badal said.