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With focus on youth and ethics, Manpreet floats new party Khatkar Kalan, March 27
The former Finance Minister made an impassioned speech outlining the reasons for floating the party that would strive to fulfill the dreams of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, amid slogans and shouts of approval by a responsive and attentive gathering. The focus was on creating more job opportunities for the youth, curbing drug abuse, transparent governance and bailing the state out of financial bankruptcy, he said. Visibly moved by the response from the masses, Manpreet said Punjab was in dire straits and there was an urgent need to follow the path shown by the martyrs to instill a hope of a better future in the next generation. “This soil is beseeching for its due and we have to give it if we want to live in a peaceful and progressive Punjab in the future, “ he added. “We have come here today to seek the courage, vision and sense of selflessness espoused by Bhagat Singh whose sacrifice not only shook the foundations of the British empire but eclipsed it,” said Manpreet. Without blaming any political party for the “sorry state of affairs”, he said the situation is so bad that it is a sin to be born in Punjab. “Every child is born with a noose of debt which tightens as he grows up. Is this the Punjab that Bhagat Singh envisioned and happily went to the gallows for?” he questioned. He also castigated the lavish lifestyles of the politicians and the babus at the cost of the exchequer. “They believe that they are the new rulers who have the right to oppress the masses. Politicians are not only usurping the rights of the people but also their properties, lands and other vital resources of the state. See the plight of the NRIs who have to run from pillar to post to get justice,” said Manpreet. The ex-Finance Minister said the need of the hour was to stop taking debt from the Centre. “We can eat less but will have to say a firm no to more debt. If this means taking some unpalatable decisions, so be it,” he said. In an apparent dig at the ruling coalition, he said no one can stop the birth of an idea or a movement whose time has come. “And the time has come for the rule of the law and not of one person or a family,” he asserted. In an obvious reference to the Congress, he said the grand old party has been saying they will eradicate poverty from the country but the truth is that the day this happens it would be their last day. Earlier, he declared that Abhey Singh Sandhu and Bharat Bhushan Thapar, nephews of Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev, respectively, would be his party’s candidates for any seat they choose to contest from the state. Raising the bar for other political parties, he also announced a retirement age of 70 years for leaders and said no member could hold a position of office in any capacity for more than 10 years. Stamping out nepotism, he said no member could hold office if his/ her kin already holds such a post. The party would also give proper representation to women, youth and minorities at all levels, he added. Another salient feature would be a ‘Corp of Volunteers’ willing to work for social and humanitarian causes and would be at the disposal of the party at times of natural calamities, literacy and health camps. Others who spoke at the gathering were Jagbir Brar and Manjinder Kang, both MLAs, Kushaldeep Singh, satirist Bhagwant Mann, Abhey Sandhu and Bharat Bhushan Thapar.
Enter the People’s Party of Punjab *
No one older than 70 years will hold a ministerial position *
Zero tolerance to corruption, to function purely on merit * Will steer clear from communalism and divisive agenda *
Proper representation to women, youth and minorities at all levels *
To focus on bailing the state out of financial bankruptcy
PPP — a party for Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat Jalandhar, March 27 Regarding aims and objectives the PPP, Manpreet has stated that it would be committed to the concept of India being a sovereign, a socialist, a secular, a federal and a democratic Republic. Along with it, he has also stated that the party would be committed to the glory of the Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat, that abundantly reflects about the Punjabi nationalism. Focusing on the Punjabi nationalism, he has remarked that the PPP would act as a vanguard both for Punjab and its people and would ensure that Punjab and Punjabis get their rightful due in the national polity, administration and financial affairs. Manpreet is clear about the political line and philosophy of his party. In statutory declaration of his party, he has clearly stated that the PPP shall bear faith and allegiance to the constitution of India and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. The party will not, in any manner, promote or instigate or participate in violence. Explaining the agenda of his party, Manpreet said, “One man or one family rule is antithetical to the idea of democracy.” The party constitution details the checks and balances provided to prevent domination by one individual and clan. He further said, “Hero worship and one-man rule have to be prevented in every possible way. No new public scheme or project would be launched in the name of a party leader or someone who is part of a family of a member of the party”. Manpreet has come out with some novel ideas. For instance, he talks about evaluating the performance of ministers by a secret ballot in the Vidhan Sabha. He is for fully empowering zila parishads and block samities and is for a drastic cut on the government expenditure. He is especially against personal expenditure of ministers, bureaucrats and other members of the government. His other agendas include revenue augmentation, targeted subsidies, new lease of life for agriculture, industrial investment and job creation.
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