CM and OSDs will be held accountable for corrupt deeds: Sukhbir Badal

Patiala: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal said chief minister Bhagwant Mann and his OSDs would not be allowed to run away from Punjab after the 2027 assembly elections, and would be held accountable for alleged corruption. Addressing a Punjab Bachao rally in Patiala along with party's Patiala rural segment incharge Jaspal Singh Bittu Chatha, Sukhbir Badal said, "These corrupt persons think they can run abroad to Canada and Australia and other countries where they have stashed their illegal wealth. I want to tell them. They will all be held to account. They will be brought back to face the law even if they flee and will be held accountable for their crimes".Answering a media query later, Sukhbir said twisting ‘kiklis' (traditional folk sequences) to target him would not help the chief minister. He said Bhagwant Mann could make up any number of ‘kiklis' but it would not save him from the wrath of Punjabis who wanted to take him to account for betraying them in every possible sphere."I challenge CM Bhagwant Mann to visit any village in Punjab without his posse of 500 police personnel and security apparatus which imposes a lockdown and confiscates weapons wherever he goes like it did in Jaito today. Once he does this, Punjabis will make him forget his cheap ‘kiklis' once and for all!"On estranged Akalis returning to the party fold, Sukhbir said, "I appeal to every Punjabi to set aside differences and unite under the banner of Punjab's one and only regional party. Together, we must protect Punjab from the looter of Delhi and reclaim the pride and prosperity of our state", he said.Sukhbir Badal said, "Once a SAD government is formed we will establish a committee headed by a sitting judge to probe all the cases within a span of three months. All false cases will be revoked and strict action will be taken against political leaders and officers responsible for registering such cases".Sukhbir added the Congress repeatedly betrayed Punjabis and had nothing to show despite remaining in power for 25 years in the state. He said Capt Amarinder Singh, who remained chief minister for ten years, did not care to visit one ward or village in Patiala Rural, while former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal held Sangat Darshan programmes in all its villages. He also appealed for Panthic unity and urged all Akalis to return to the party fold.Outlining his vision for Punjab, Sukhbir said govt jobs would be given to Punjabis only, unlike the AAP govt, which he said gave such jobs to outsiders. He said the next SAD govt would welcome new investment, but would require new units to hire at least 75 per cent Punjabis. He said youth would be given an interest-free loan of Rs 10 lakh and a 75 per cent subsidy to establish livestock farms. MSID:: 130039416 413 |