MODI HAS AGAIN SLIGHTS PUNJABIS BY CANCELLING DHUDIKE PROGRAMME: BAJWA

Chandigarh, August 24: The Punjab Congress President Mr Partap Singh Bajwa today said the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi had once against hurt the Punjabis by cancelling his proposed visit to Dhudike to participate in the 150 anniversary of Sher-e-Punjab Lala Lajpat Rai on August 28.

“Earlier, he distanced himself from the 350th anniversary celebrations of holy city of Anandpur Sahib to which he was personally invited by the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal and the Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal. Now his participation in Dhudike programme was announced by the Industries Minister Mr Madan Mohan Mittal who is among the senior most Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Punjab. Now we have been given out that Mr Modi is not coming”, he added.

Mr Bajwa asked Mr Badal to tell the people as to what was his definition of step motherly treatment, the allegation that he used to level against the UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh. He reminded the Chief Minister that he was a frequent visitor to Dr Manmohan Singh who never refused Punjab anything but here was Mr Modi who was not even giving him an appointment, what to talk of coming to the rescue of the state.

Mr Bajwa asserted the issue involved the dignity and self-respect of the Punjabis which Mr had hit by ignoring this state which has always played a pioneering role in the defence of the country both against foreign aggression as well as from hunger. He said it was Punjab that provided food security to the country.

He said Mr Badal should do nothing else but speak the truth by comparing the respect that he used to get from Dr Manmohan Singh and the step motherly treatment that he was subjected to by the very Prime Minister in whose government Akali Dal is a partner. However, it would need moral courage to tell the truth which Mr Badal lacked as he was known for his double speak and betrayal with the people besides backtracking from the promises made to the people of which the list was long.

He called upon Mr Badal to explain this anti-Punjabi behaviour of Mr Modi who was known for his anti-minority politics.