M A I N   N E W S

Ruckus at Punjab Congress rally
Banners removed, slogans raised
Our Correspondent

Phagwara, August 5
At the Congress rally here today a group of Congress workers, led by local Congress councillor Miss Kusum Sharma, waved black flags and raised slogans against local Block Congress President and another party leader. Miss Sharma herself carried party flag but her supporters carried black flags and raised slogans for half an hour. The AICC leaders, Mr Moti Lal Vohra, Cashier AICC cum in charge Punjab party affairs and top PCC leader including Captain Amarinder Singh were present. Banners belonging to two local leaders were removed by the slogan-shouting brigade.

Serious allegations were levelled by the protesters against Block Congress President Madan Mohan Bajaj. Some youths raised objectionable slogans against PPCC member Balvir Raja Sodhi and forcibly removed his banners. The black flag protesters reached very near the dais where all party stalwarts were sitting.

Though state secretary and rally in charge Avtar Henry tried to cover-up the ruckus by announcing that certain over-enthusiastic Congress workers had raised black flags against the Badal government, Captain Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief who spoke at the end all, took strong notice of the way the block-level differences were aired. The Captain warned that recurrence of local differences would invite strict disciplinary action. Captain chided the protesters.

Let us all unite to show doors to “dusht haqumat” “(cruel govt)” of the SAD-BJP by uniting and not by washing the dirty linen in public, continued Captain. Desist from repeating such act or face disciplinary action, warned the Captain.

Disturbance was controlled by Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, convener, Congress Parliamentary Party. He made a startling revelation that the BJP - led Central government was bringing about an amendment for controlling water Headworks of Punjab and Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, had agreed to this transfer.

The Centre wanted to distribute five million acre feet of Punjab waters to other states and Mr Badal had struck a secret deal with Haryana Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala for giving Punjab waters to Haryana, alleged Mr Brar. Only Congress MPs had opposed the move of amendment while Akali MPs had stayed away, claimed Mr Brar. Mr Badal has remained silent in Inter-State Council meeting and had even signed the move on amendment, he alleged. He asked Mr Badal to clarify his stand on this all. Referring to Mr Badal’s Rahkhar Punia speech at Baba Bakala yesterday, Mr Brar declared that Mr Badal had admitted defeat even before polls by threatening people that in case they voted for the Congress in Punjab, the NDA government at the Centre, which was to continue for three more years, would help Punjab. Mr Badal had no panthic or Punjab agenda, he had only “parivarik” agenda, quipped Mr Brar. Over 100 bus routes were operating in name of Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, CM’s son and smack was being sold in the Majha area by Mr Surinder Kairon, relative of Mr Badal, he alleged.

Mr Moti Lal Vohra, Cashier AICC cum in charge Punjab party affairs, alleged that Mr Parkash Singh Badal wanted to revive terrorism in Punjab. The Centre colluding with Mr Badal on this count, he said. Mr Badal had held 15 meetings with Union Home Minister L.K. Advani for bringing back khalistani-terrorists to Punjab from the USA, the UK, Canada, alleged Mr Vohra. The return of KCF chief Wasan Singh Zaffarwal and Khalistan ideologue Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan was the result of these meetings, he continued. More terrorists will be brought back to vitiate hard won peace in Punjab, warned Mr Vohra. Mr Badal wants bloodshed, “vinash” and not “vikas” in Punjab, alleged Mr Vohra. Both the NDA and the Badal government had forfeited moral rights to stay in power because they had ditched people, he continued. The killings in J & K had increased in wake of failure of the Agra Summit, he said. President Musharraf had gained legitimacy at Agra, he quipped.

In his virtually a pre-pool address, Captain Amarinder Singh PPCC chief, dared Mr Badal for a public debate. Let us have an open stage and discuss Punjab issues. The Captain said to Mr Badal. Calling Mr Badal’s regime city the most corrupt, Mr Amarinder Singh promised, abolition of octroi, simplification of Sales Tax, end of inspector raj, creation of employment avenues on coming to power. He declared that the Congress won’t withdraw free power facility to farmers but would extend it to landless poor, dalits and daily wage earners. Agro-industries would be set up, cash crops encouraged to take farmers out of wheat-paddy cycle and economy strengthened, continued the Captain. He predicted that Akalis would be routed completely in coming polls which could be held anytime. The wind was in the favour of the Congress and we would form the next government, asserted Captain.

Senior Congress leaders including Ms Santosh Chaudhary, Joginder Singh Maan, Ms Sukhbans Kaur Bhindar, Mr Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, Mr Shamsher Singh Dulo, Mr Charanjit Singh Channi, Mr Jagjit Singh, Mr Joginder Makwana also spoke. Mr Shiv Lal Balmiki, Mirza Arshad Beg, AICC, secretaries, H.S. Hanspal, Tarlochan Singh Soondh, Balvir Raja Sodhi, Mr Santosh Singh, Mr Avtar Henry, Ms Gurkanwal Kaur, Mr Devinder Babbu and host of other state leaders were also present at the rally attended by over 50,000 workers.

PPCC president Captain Amarinder Singh today sought report from DCC vice-president on those who created indiscipline at today’s Congress rally. The report is to be submitted in three days for a disciplinary action.