Harsimrat Badal castigates CM for challenging supremacy of Sri Akal Takth Sahib

Says PM will inaugurate Kartarpur Corridor ICP on November 8 Mullanpur Dakha, October 12, 2019: Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal today castigated the Congress government and Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for “challenging the superemacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib” by deciding to hold a parallel stage to mark the 550th Parkash Purab celebrations at Sultanpur Lodhi. Answering media queries while campaigning for SAD candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali in this constituency, Mrs. Badal said “for a devout Sikh a directive from Sri Akal Takht Sahib is a supreme order”. She said it was extremely unfortunate that the Congress government had decided to hold a parallel function despite an advisory from Sri Akali Takth Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahab Harpreet Singh and attempts by the SGPC to hold a joint celebration. “A joint coordination committee was also made for this purpose but Congress representatives of the Committee did not let efforts for a joint celebration succeed. This will certainly create confusion amongst the Sikh community and be considered as an act aimed at weakening the Sikh qoum”. Lashing out at the Congress leadership, the Union Minister asked about their credentials to hold such a pious event, stating: “they belong to the same party which attacked Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Their hands are soaked in the blood of thousands of Sikhs”. She said CM Capt Amarinder Singh, who was very enthusiastic about holding a parallel function, was guilty of committing sacrilege by swearing lies on the holy Gutka Sahib to woo voters. While urging the Congress party and its CM to relent and follow the State's tradition of CM and government functionaries always attending the religious events organised by the SGPC on such occasions, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said: “It’s our Guru’s 550th Parkash Purab. Let’s celebrate it together without any ego clash. If the CM and his Cabinet ministers are really so enthusiastic to celebrate, they must first perform the duties which the government is supposed to do, like creating infrastructure to facilitate the pilgrims, which hasn’t been done in the holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi till date.” Asked about the Prime Minister, President of India and other dignitaries coming to Sultanpur Lodhi, the Union Minister declared that the PM would visit Punjab on November 8 to inaugurate the Kartarpur Corridor ICP and also attend the religious function being organised by the SGPC. She said Home Minister Amit Shah was scheduled to attend the SGPC function on November 11, with the President of India presiding over the main function on November 12 at Sultanpur Lodhi. Speaking about the poll prospects of SAD-BJP alliance in the upcoming by-elections, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal said: “It’s not only about Dakha constituency, the alliance will win all four seats as I can observe deep resentment in the people against the Congress party for breaking the promises made to them”. She said the SAD- BJP would work to undo the damage done over the last two-and-a-half-years,” she claimed. While counting the failures of the Captain-led Congress government in Punjab, the Union minister said: “People of Punjab have been cheated upon with impunity. This government had promised ghar ghar naukri, unemplyment allowance, revision of old age and widow pensions, addition of sugar and ghee with Atta-Dal, smartphones to youths, a complete debt waiver to farmers and above all the eradication of drugs and sand mafia. However, half of the period is over but the government couldn’t deliver upon even a single promise made to the people”. She also took the Congress government of Punjab to task for creating hurdles in opening of Ladhowal Mega Food Park and the AIIMS Bathinda, stating: “These projects are getting delayed just for the want of power supply, which is to be installed by the state government”. Replying to a query related to the supply of arms, ammunition and drugs through drones from Pakistan, she said: “Punjab is being seen as soft target as the CM has lost his grip over the law and order situation. Mafia is flourishing. When even the Police in a state is not safe, how can we expect the safety of common masses,” she quipped. While seeking votes for Manpreet Singh Ayali, the Union Minister said: “I have come to seek your votes on the basis of Ayali’s previous performance. He is responsible for uplifting the standard of villages in this constituency by creating sports stadiums, cleaning village ponds and bringing in modern infrastructure.