Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, December 11
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal today declared that his party “fully accepts the challenge of a repressive Congress government on the denial of democratic rights for raising our voice in favour of the beleaguered Punjabis who are feeling cheated by it”.
Talking to mediapersons after a meeting of the SAD Core Committee, Sukhbir alleged: “The government is trying to suppress democratic opposition and distract attention from their betrayal of the Punjabis on tall promises made to them. I dare this government to arrest me instead of acting against ordinary Akali workers.”
Sukhbir said the party would set up a “Force for Democracy” with a minimum of 10 volunteers from every village, a total of 1,20,000 workers in the state, who would work as vigilantes against the Congress repression.
On inconvenience to commuters during the Akali dharnas, Sukhbir said: “I sincerely apologise to students, women, children or sick and elderly people who had to face inconvenience. But I also request them to understand that the dharnas were not about Akalis but the rights of the common man to elect civic bodies of their own choice for the development in their areas. How can the people elect representatives if the Congress was denying others a chance to contest?” he said.
Earlier, a resolution passed at the meeting, chaired by former CM Parkash Singh Badal, congratulated the party president on the “success” of the dharnas and for “delivering a setback to the Congress government”.
Sukhbir issued a warning to the officers “who have discarded their uniform to earn Congress loyalty. I warn these officials to mend their ways. We are keeping a close watch on each of them.”
