Union Government more concerned about Badal family than rights of Punjab: Randhawa

Chandigarh
“The lip service being paid by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) towards the federal structure stands exposed thoroughly with what the party did during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor at Dera Baba Nanak. The akalis always resorted to political gimmickry on the issue of more rights to the states and ignored the democratically elected government to further their own narrow interests at the expense of the rights of Punjab. ” This was disclosed by the senior congress leader and cabinet minister, Punjab, S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa in a press communique here today.

S. Randhawa added that during the Dera Baba Nanak function, the akalis politicized the whole issue being hand in glove with its alliance partner BJP. This is amply clear by the engraving the name of ex chief minister and ex deputy chief minister on the foundation stone which was unconstitutional and amounted to robbing the state of its rights. He also said that keeping themselves over and above the elected representatives the badal family has not only indulged in cheap politics but has violated the protocol too. He also added that the union government has more concern for the rights of badals than Punjab. As per protocol, the name of an ex CM or ex Deputy CM can neither be engraved on a foundation stone nor can they be seated on the Dias. This violation took place when Vice President and the Governor were sitting on the stage.

Lashing out, the Congress leader said that the SAD always follows dual policy. It remembers states rights and federal structure when congress is at the helm in Delhi but squeezes these very issues whenever it’s alliance partner forms the government at the center.

S. Randhawa also said that when Dr. Manmohan Singh was PM the state government got full respect during the functions held in Punjab. He cited examples of refinery, Bhaba Atomic Research Center functions in this connection when the state government got full respect but the Congress leaders were ignored. He further said that the double face of SAD stands exposed and the people would consign akalis to the dustbin of history in the lok sabha polls too after assembly polls.