Attari, February 21
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that once the SAD formed the government in 2027 it would ensure reopening of the Attari and Fazilka borders for trade with all central Asian countries besides creating a special industrial zone in the border belt.
Addressing a massive rally as part of the ongoing Punjab Bachao movement launched by the party here along with senior leader Gulzar Singh Ranike, the SAD president said, “Business in the border belt has suffered immensely due to the closure of the border. Once elected we will ensure both the Attari and Fazilka borders are opened for export of fruit and vegetables besides other commodities to Central Asian countries. This export will go a long way in making Amritsar a hub for international trade and benefit the entire region”.
Asserting that establishing industry in the border belt was also a pressing need, especially after the migration of industry to hill States due to concessions offered there, Badal said, “The SAD is committed to establishing a special industrial zone in the border belt and will extend a financial package for the same to incentivize the industry to invest in this zone. This will rejuvenate the entire economy of the area”, he asserted.
In another significant move, regarding the cases registered against senior Akali leaders like Bikram Singh Majithia and Tarn Taran leader Kanchanpreet Kaur and the party cadre, Badal said, “Once we form the government in 2027 we will establish a Commission to probe all these cases. Those behind registration of the false cases as well as officers responsible for this illegal conduct will be proceeded against”. He also announced that the SAD was committed to pursuing the alleged corrupt practices of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as well as the purchase of 2500 acres of land by him in Australia, while adding, “We will not let him run. Mann will be brought back to face the law”.
Meanwhile, even as the entire area turned into an Akali sea of blue and Kesari, Badal appealed to Punjabis to stop experimentation and support their own regional party – the Shiromani Akali Dal in the 2027 elections. The SAD alone is committed to the welfare of Punjab. We have to live and die here. All Delhi based parties – be it to Congress, AAP or the BJP have no concern for the State. Their only interest is to annex power. This is the reason development occurs only under SAD tenure and stops immediately afterwards”.
The SAD president went on to ask the people to name a single achievement of the erstwhile Congress governments or the present Aam Aadmi Party regime. He said despite a plethora of Congress chief ministers, the Congress party could not name one important landmark project or scheme initiated by them. “On the other hand the SAD is not only responsible for free power supply to tubewells, irrigation channels, world class roads and airports, Mandis and thermal plants but also launching of innovative social welfare schemes like Aata-Daal, old age pension and the Shagun scheme”.
Asserting that he would never compromise on the pride and prestige of Punjab come what may, Badal said central agencies were not happy after defaming the SAD and taking control of its religious institutions like Sri Hazoor Sahib and Takht Patna Sahib but were also striving to dislodge the Badal family to install an amenable puppet whom they could control. He said similarly in the State, the AAP government was conspiring to register a case against him. Asserting that he would never allow these machinations to come in the way of serving the people of Punjab, Badal said, “I am ready to pay the ultimate sacrifice but I will never compromise on the principles of the SAD”.
