Buzz about Sidhu Moosewala’s father contesting from Bathinda as Independent candidate
Chandigarh August 17 – Akali stalwart and five times former Punjab
Chief Minister Sardar Parkash Singh Badal said here today that the
centre’s decision to extend concessions to Punjab’s neighbouring hill
states will “directly and fatally hit Punjab and its economy. “No one
deserves these concessions more than does Punjab that has faced four
active and bloody wars and is the only part of the country which is
situated on a live and hostile border which even centre admits
continues to be a cause of concern for national security, ” said Mr.
Badal here this afternoon in a brief but sharp response to the
announcement of extension of concessions to hill states. ”Weakening
Punjab amounts directly to weakening national interests, especially
security. Punjab has suffered a lot . And this step is bound to make
us suffer more . And whether we realize it today or not, this will
hurt our national interests too. ”
Mr Badal requested the Government of India to either reconsider
the decision or extend the same facilities to the most deserving
state, Punjab also. “We are not against our brethren states. But we
seek justice and fair-play and a level playing field. In a level
playing field, we will prove what we are capable of. The hard working
Punjabis simply have no match.They proved it even across the country’s
shores. ”
Mr. Badal said that patriotic Punjabis have not only bravely
and proudly waged wars for their motherland but have also endured
nearly two decades of what the Government of India admits was a
foreign sponsored militancy. Because of that , our economy has taken a
severe hit . We were the first to deserve these concessions. It is
time to put a stop to this discrimination.”
The former Chief Minister said that it must be realized that
Punjab continues to be the target of Pakistan. “Take my word for it.
Whenever Pakistan wants to bleed our country, Punjab will be their
first target. Why punish the country’s strong arm? Does the country
not need a strong and robust Punjab? We have repeatedly assured and
proved that as long as Punjab is strong and prospering, this country
has nothing to fear from its enemies. But I ask,” Is a strong Punjab
not in national interest. Whatever the Congress might say, Punjab’s
economy took a huge hit because of the militancy whose roots led to
Congress Headquarters in Delhi and Pakistan later fully exploited.
That is the truth and everyone knows it. It is time to learn from
mistakes of the past and give Punjab a fair deal. A fair deal is all
we ask, no favours. “ said Mr Badal.
