Chandigarh, Septmeber 28 : The Shiromani Akali Dal said today that Punjab Cabinet Minister Manpreet Singh Badal and Navjot Singh Sidhu are working as per a conspiracy hatched by the AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi to fail the Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh in the state.
In a statement issued by party head office here today, the party Treasurer and Spokesman NK Sharma said that people of the state are aware of the fact that victory of the Congress party in Punjab is only because of Capt. Amarinder Singh. He said that people also understand that Rahul Gandhi did not like Amarinder Singh and his so called arrogant style against the central leadership. He said that way both the cabinet minister are working in the state, point towards a deep conspiracy hatched to fail the Chief Minister.
Sharma said that never in the history of any state any cabinet minister is publicly seen to ask for departments which are directly under the Chief Minister and claiming that he will perform wonderful job in these departments. He said that it was surprising that Sidhu had claimed that if he is given Home department he will ensure that drugs will be finished in one, do this mean that CM has failed in containing this menace ?. He said that not only this Sidhu has many times made announcement which were contrary to the directions issued by the Chief Minister. He said that this style of the cabinet minister raises suspicion over his motives.
The SAD Spokesman said that similar is case of Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal who regularly takes decisions which are against the announcement by the Chief Minister. He said that on the issue of farm loan waiver Chief Minister had announced in the Vidhan Sabha that government will waive off loans as per commitment made during elections and 10.50 lakh farmers will get Rs. 2 lakh waiver each. He said that this amount totals to near Rs. 21000 crore but very next day Finance Minister announced only Rs. 1500 crores for the said purpose. He said that it was intriguing that for paying Rs. 1500 crore to the farmers, Mr. Manpreet Badal has imposed taxes worth Rs. 1100 crore on farmers which include Rs. 900 crores on increase in market fees of Grain Markets and Rs. 200 crore for Abiyana which is collected on water supply. He said that it means that Manpreet wants to collect 1100 crore to give Rs. 1500 crores.
Sharma said that even the corridors of the power it is murmured that Rahul Gandhi has directed both Manpreet Badal and Navjot Sidhu to work for bringing bad name to the CM and fail him politically. He said that what they want only time will clear air on it.