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Badal finally
expresses love for Congress, closes complaint chapter
WSN Bureau
 FATEHGARH
SAHIB: It was in the land of the martyrs that Parkash Singh Badal
chose to finally speak the truth: "We are content over the cordial
relations between Punjab Government and Central Government...Centre
is fully cooperating on issues of development."
This was by way of his speech to the sangat at the historic Jor Mela
in memory of the sons of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. For
the first time in contemporary history of Punjab was a president of
the Akali Dal saying the Congress led Government at the Centre and
the Akali Dal led government in Punjab were in full consonance.
He did not mince words. Capitulation is nothing if not complete.
"There was no point raising any issues when both the state and the
union government were having convivial relations," Badal said. This
at a time when farmers suicides continue and the much awaited relief
from the Centre is no where in sight. This at a time when Centre's
concession to hill states has ensured that Punjab's industry migrate
to Baddi-Barotawala region of Himachal Pradesh. This at a time when
the 1984 pogrom victims are still filing petitions in Delhi because
the Delhi government has refused compensation to many. This at a
time when witness after witness was emerging from the shadows to say
that Congress leaders did lead the blood thirsty mobs in 1984 and
those leaders remain respected senior brass of the Congress. This at
a time when Congress is taking umbrage even at putting up of a
portrait of Sant Bhindranwale at a museum of the Sikhs.
But Badal has closed the chapter of any differences. "No complaints"
was the theme at Jor Mela and it was followed up with thanks for the
union home minister Shiv Raj Patil for extending the Guru Gobind
Singh marg.
Speaking on the occasion, acting president of the SAD Sukhbir Singh
Badal said no other community in the world had made sacrifices as
great as the ones made by the Sikhs and the Sikh Gurus. He
reiterated the promises of surplus power, revamp of the irrigation
system in the state and setting up of three Punjab institutes of
sports. He took the opportunity to warn the bureaucrats to desist
from ignoring Akali workers.
Earlier, the Chief Minister and his son paid obeisance at the
gurdwara along with president of the SGPC Avtar Singh and other
senior party leaders. Badal was presented a siropa by the SGPC.
26 December 2007
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