CM slams Channi for misleading the people with his baseless statements
Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday slammed the former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Member Charanjit Singh Channi for misleading the people with his irresponsible and baseless statements.
“The 111 days former Chief Minister has admitted defeat of his party by issuing such statements which are against the spirit of democracy”, said the Chief Minister while interacting with the media at his residence this morning.
The Chief Minister said that foreseeing their defeat in the upcoming Zila Parishad and Block Samiti polls, the Congress, Akali Dal and BJP is resorting to diversionary tactics. He said that while Congress has been repeatedly rejected by the people Akali Dal had ran away from returning most of the bye polls. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these parties know well their fate in the ensuing polls due to which they are issuing baseless statements as a face saving exercise.
The Chief Minister dared Channi to prove the baseless allegations being levelled by him and show where the extra ballots have been printed adding that self proclaimed messiah of weaker sections is indulging in all these tactics just to hog limelight. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is on record that neither Channi nor his party have ever gone to people due to which they have been repeatedly rejected by the people. He said that rather than performance the Congress has always banked upon their turn after every five years but now their dreams are not coming true due to which they are frustrated.
The Chief Minister said that rather than indulging in such theatricals Channi should focus on the auction being going on at their headquarters for announcing the next face of Vidhan sabha elections. He said that Channi should focus on that race else he will lag behind in the race of leadership adding that such tactics of former Chief Minister will not pay him any dividends. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people have already made up their mind to teach Congress a lesson in these polls due to which the Congress leadership is baffled.
The Chief Minister said that as a fact of matter Congress, Akali Dal and BJP are playing friendly match in these elections as in several cases the leaders of these parties are canvassing for the same candidate in shifts just to defeat AAP. He said that while the AAP is contesting the polls solely on the plank of development, these parties are banking on their agenda of hatred and divisiveness. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he never went for electioneering in these polls but one thing is sure that might of people has brought once powerful leaders on ground.
Citing the example of SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Chief Minister said that Akali leader was never seen on ground during their heydays of power but now they are canvassing even for Zila parishad polls. He said that this is the power of common man that once the Almighty powerful leader is now riding on motorcycles to seek votes for their candidates. Bhagwant Singh Mann quipped that Akali Dal is no longer Akali Dal (Badal) but it is Akali Dal (Beadbi) or Akali Dal (Badmaashi) owing to the trend in party to field gangsters in poll.
The Chief Minister out rightly rejected the allegations levelled by the opposition that their candidates have been harassed. He said that for 347 zones of Zila Parishad 331 candidates of Congress, 298 of Akali Dal and 215 of BjP are in fray whereas for 2833 zones of Panchayat Samiti 2433 candidates of Congress, 1814 of Akali Dal and 1127 of BJP are contesting. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this proves that every party has got fair chance to contest the polls by fielding their candidates openly in these polls.
The Chief Minister said that traditional parties consider Punjab as a state on sale due to which they are making beeline to contest polls in hope of getting power. He said that one Jogi has returned from his sojourn in hills and is saying that BjP doesn’t respect its leaders. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that if this leader is so uncomfortable in saffron then he should quit it rather than giving long interviews in media reflecting his frustration.
The Chief Minister said that people are so fed up from Congress that even the stalwarts are loosing their home turfs as the wife of state Congress Chief was defeated from Gidderbaha whereas wife of 1.75 km (distance between Congress leader’s residence to Raj Bhawan) CM, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa was also defeated from Dera Baba Nanak. He said that whatever Sidhu couple may boast but the fact is that performance of Navjot Singh Sidhu as Minister in Punjab government was completely zero. Bhagwant Singh Mann said these leaders have no concern for the Punjab and Punajbis adding that they are only interested in looting Punjab.
On the other hand, the Chief Minister said that the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has taken several pro-people decisions. He said that for the first time, canal water has reached at the villages in the tail end of the state resolving irrigation issues. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that several closed canals and distributaries were reopened adding that in some areas water flowed again after 37 years.
The Chief Minister said that Farmers are receiving daytime electricity, and 90% of households are getting free power, reducing financial pressure. He said that 56,856 youths have been given government jobs transparently, without recommendation or corruption. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the closure of 19 toll plazas has saved Punjabis Rs 64 lakh daily in toll fees.
The Chief Minister said that to provide accessible healthcare, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across the state offering free treatment and medicines.
He said that in the education sector, revolutionary measures have been launched, attracting national praise. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a total of 118 Schools of Eminence are being established, which are being viewed as a crucial step toward a bright future for underprivileged children.
The Chief Minister said that Students are receiving free uniforms, and a free bus service for girls ensures no girl is deprived of education. He said that these students are also being given special coaching for entry into the armed forces and competitive exams like NEET, JEE, CLAT, and NIFT. Bhagwant Singh Mann said it is a matter of pride that 265 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools qualified for JEE Mains, 44 for JEE Advanced, and 848 for NEET.