SAD President Sukhbir Badal Levels Serious Fraud Allegations Against Punjab CM
In a fiery rally held in Patiala on Thursday, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal launched a scathing attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of perpetrating a massive fraud regarding investment claims in the state. Badal alleged that Mann falsely touted an investment of Rs 1.55 lakh crore during the Invest Punjab summit over the last four years, while the actual figure, as per recent RTI information accessed by the SAD, stands at a mere Rs 2,600 crore.
RTI Data Reveals Stark Discrepancy in Investment Figures
Addressing the crowd alongside Samana halka in-charge Jagmeet Singh Haryau, Badal presented what he called "irrefutable evidence" of the deception. "The only investment which has come into Punjab during AAP tenure is Rs 2,600 crore, which has been done by Tata Steel in Ludhiana," he stated emphatically. He demanded an immediate apology from CM Mann for what he described as "blatant lying" to the people of Punjab.
Badal elaborated that the SAD has consistently warned that investors are being scared away from Punjab due to a prevailing culture of extortions and gangster raj under the current administration. "We are committed to restoring rule of law and providing concessions to the industry to kickstart genuine investment in the state by 2027," he asserted, outlining the party's economic revival plan.
Strong Stance on Sacrilege Incidents and Legislative Action
Turning to the sensitive issue of sacrilege, Badal addressed ongoing protests in Samana, promising stringent measures. "We will strive to enact a law calling for the death sentence in such cases," he declared. He recalled that during the previous SAD government in 2016, the Vidhan Sabha had passed a law mandating life sentences for sacrilege against the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, but it was not ratified by the Centre.
Badal further alleged that sacrilege incidents began proliferating in Punjab only after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) entered the state political scene in 2014. He pointed to the conviction of AAP legislator Naresh Yadav in a sacrilege case as evidence of the party's problematic association with such issues.
Criticism of Government Policies and Historical Grievances
The SAD president also condemned the state government's initiative to conduct a Drug Census using teachers, arguing that it imposes an unnecessary burden on educators and compromises children's education. "Moreover, it is not the job of teachers to do such surveys," he said, demanding that teachers be immediately relieved from this duty.
Badal delved into historical grievances, accusing parties based in Delhi of longstanding discrimination against Punjab. He highlighted the denial of a state capital during Punjab's reorganization and the exclusion of Punjabi-speaking areas. "Half of our river waters were also given to Rajasthan by the Congress party against the Riparian Principle," he lamented, contrasting this with SAD's commitment to serving Punjab through all challenges.
Vision for Punjab: Free Education and Welfare Schemes
Laying out a comprehensive vision for Punjab's future, Badal announced several ambitious promises for the next SAD government:
- Free education for all students up to the graduation level.
- Establishment of a Skill University to enhance employability.
- Provision of Rs 10 lakh interest-free loans to youth for entrepreneurship.
- Expansion of the Aata Daal scheme to ensure food security.
- Increase in old age pension to Rs 3,100 per month.
- Shagun benefit of Rs 1 lakh for marriage ceremonies.
- 75% subsidy for livestock-based farming to boost agriculture.
Badal also addressed internal party matters, criticizing former minister Surjit Singh Rakhra for allegedly taking credit for development projects initiated by former CM Parkash Singh Badal and making false claims about party financing and flood relief efforts.
The rally underscored SAD's aggressive stance against the AAP-led government, blending allegations of financial misconduct with a forward-looking agenda aimed at reclaiming power and revitalizing Punjab's economy and social fabric.
