Punjab CM to blame for fiscal loss due to stir, says BJP

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 16

Targeting Capt Amarinder Singh over his statement on economic loss due to farmers’ agitation, the Bharatiya Janata Party today said the Chief Minister was himself responsible for Punjab’s economic crisis as he was the one to first fuel the farmers’ movement.

Party state president Ashwani Sharma, addressing mediapersons, said if it was a realisation on CM’s part, it was too late. “He can’t wash his hands of the issue as he himself is responsible for bringing the situation to this extent. He should make it clear whether he accepts that it was a wrong call to support the farmers’ agitation due to which traders, industry and common public suffered huge losses,” he said.

In another press conference, party state general secretary Subhash Sharma alleged since the Congress had failed on all fronts, it was making Captain Amarinder a scapegoat by putting the onus on him for the failures of the past four and half years.

Subhash accused PCC president Navjot Sidhu of lying on the issue of farm laws. He said when the Punjab Contract Farming Act, 2013, was passed by the Assembly, his wife Navjot Kaur was part of the state government and he himself was a Member of Parliament. However, both never opposed the Act.

He asked why it took Sidhu eight years to “understand” that the Act was not in favour of farmers. The reforms being brought in by the Modi government were started by Dr Manmohan Singh-led Congress government, he reminded Sidhu.