Punjab polls: None of the promises made by Capt fulfilled, says Sukhbir Singh Badal

On fighting Punjab elections without BJP

We must understand that it is the SAD and its patron, Parkash Singh Badal, which has won the mandate of the people five times. Badal Sahab was the architect of the SAD-BJP alliance and it was done to cement ties of brotherhood after a period of strife in the state. Badal Sahab has also been the champion of peace and communal harmony and the SAD is committed to continue this legacy. Punjabis believe them firmly. SAD is known to stand by the commitments made to people. Be it giving free power to farmers or extending unique social welfare benefits to the underprivileged – the SAD has always fulfilled all commitments made by it. SAD also stands by Punjabiyat. This is the reason why Punjabis trust it and will repose their trust in it in future also.

On Punjab witnessing a multi-cornered fight
The SAD is the only party which is present across the state. AAP is concentrated in only three districts of Malwa region and is in the fight in only 20 seats. It has absolutely no presence in Doaba and Majha belts. The Congress is crumbling by the day mainly because of failure to deliver on its promises, corruption and encouragement to various kinds of mafia. Severe infighting is also hurting the Congress. BJP, Punjab Lok Congress of Capt Amarinder Singh, Sanyukt Morcha of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha are non-players.


On BJP, Captain and SAD (Sanyukt) alliance

Far from being a challenger, the BJP is a non-player. This can be seen at the ground level also. Making disgruntled and discredited persons join the BJP will not change its electoral fortunes in any manner whatsoever. Collecting ‘zeroes’ like Capt Amarinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa will result in a zero tally at the hustings.


On AAP’s Delhi model promise in Punjab

What is the Delhi model? What has it given the people of Delhi? Did it protect them from Covid? Why are residents of Delhi even denied clean drinking water till now? Why has Kejriwal not been able to open a single new college or hospital? Why has no government recruitment taken place in Delhi? Why are contractual employees not regularised? These are questions which Kejriwal cleverly hides by doling out advertisements to the tune of ₹850 crore. The Delhi model is an advertisement campaign which has even poll surveys thrown in as a deal. People need to be told about this…how Kejriwal is trying to deceive Punjabis.


On major election issues that SAD is taking to the people

First is the complete betrayal of Punjab and Punjabis by this corrupt and scam-ridden Congress government. Punjabis now understand that they were befooled by former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh who took false oaths on the holy Gutka Sahib to sway them. None of the promises made by Capt Amarinder – be it complete farm loan waiver for farmers or ghar ghar naukri for youth – have been fulfilled. The Congress has even tried to trick the people by effecting a change in leadership by bringing in Charanjit Channi three months before the polls. This gambit has also been thoroughly exposed. Channi has done nothing except make announcements, even as his corrupt activities have come to light with the seizure of ₹10 crore ill-gotten money from his nephew’s residence.


On alliance with BSP

You have only to see the results of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to understand the latent strength of BSP, particularly in the Doaba belt. Despite not being in the reckoning since nearly two decades, it has its loyal followers across a large number of constituencies and coupled with SAD forms a formidable combination. The party got a vote share of 3.5% despite contesting the elections alone. The last time SAD contested the elections with BSP in 1996, the alliance won 11 out of 13 seats.


On Dalit votebank and Channi’s influence

First of all, let us be clear, Charanjit Channi is misusing the Dalit card. He has never spoken up for the SC community during his stint in power. He was part of the Cabinet but never protested or demanded any action against the perpetrators of the SC scholarship scam. He did not even protest when blue cards, which ensure social welfare benefits to Dalits and under privileged sections of society, were deleted in lakhs.


On brother-in-law Bikram Majithia being booked in a drugs case

No Punjabi is asking this question. In fact, the opposite is true. Punjabis are asking why Majithia has been booked in a false case. You need to ask this also. Because the truth is that the Congress government has registered a false case against Majithia after changing two DGPs and three directors of the Bureau of Investigation. It is also a fact that two SSPs of Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala refused to register a false case against Majithia in writing. Finally, it was left to an ineligible DGP who was brought in for a period of eighteen days to register the false case under his signature. The functioning of this DGP – S Chattopadhyay – has also been exposed by a recent audio tape which shows him consorting with drug traffickers. So, you see the truth is otherwise.