M A I N   N E W S

Rahul clears air, says Capt Cong’s choice for CM post
Perneet Singh & Kulwinder Sandhu/TNS

Chhabal (Tarn Taran)/ Ferozepur, January 25
AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, addressing his first poll rally in the state, today made it clear that Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh would be the Chief Minister if the party comes back to power in the state.

Addressing an impressive gathering at Chhabal in Tarn Taran district, Rahul said, “There is no doubt that the Congress will win the Assembly elections in Punjab and Capt Amarinder Singh will be your next Chief Minister. What remains to be seen is how big will be the Congress victory. Our leaders talk of wave but I say that a storm is blowing in the favour of the Congress in the entire state.”

He launched a scathing attack on the SAD-BJP government and said it was “taking people for a ride” by resorting to false claims.

Rahul said the ruling alliance is talking about ‘Punjab Shinning’ and promises to make the state like California. "They (SAD-BJP) talk big but are not interacting with farmers, the common man, labourers and the poor", he said. "If Punjab is shinning as per Akalis, then I want to ask them why the common man, labourers and farmers are not shinning in the state," he said.

He appealed to the electorate to give the SAD-BJP regime a befitting reply by throwing it out of power this time.

Rahul also attacked BJP stalwart LK Advani for his ‘yatra’ against corruption by saying, “Doesn’t he see corruption in Punjab where private channels are being run with government money?”

He said the UPA government has treated all states equally and helped Punjab as much as it could despite the fact that there was not a Congress-ruled government in the state.

“We gave Punjab Rs 18,000 crore worth refinery in Bathinda, Indian Institute of Science and Education Research in Mohali, Central University in Bathinda and Rs 3,400 crore for education,” claimed Rahul.

“On the contrary, the SAD-BJP government didn’t help poor and only made speeches, boasting to have turned the state into California,” he added.

Rahul also tried to connect to the youth by raising the issue of drug addiction which is rampant in the border area. “Punjab plays a key role in the country’s economy. However, my heart pains to see its youth falling prey to drug addiction,” he said. He urged Amarinder to initiate urgent measures to curb the menace.

Later, at a rally in Ferozepur, Rahul alleged that the SAD-BJP government had promoted corruption and scuttled various projects through which the Central Government wanted development funds to reach Punjab. “We are helping Punjab through various schemes. But the central funds are not being properly utilised by the SAD-BJP alliance,” claimed Rahul.

Addressing the rally, Amarinder claimed that the public is in a mood to overthrow the SAD-BJP government and ensure a big win for the Congress. “The SAD is facing rough weather in the state which explains why Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal have remained pinned down in their respective constituencies for the past two weeks,” he said.

Party affairs in charge Gulchain Singh Charak asked the party workers to pull up their socks and work hard in the last leg of campaigning to ensure Congress victory. The district unit of the party presented Rahul a siropa and a sword.