Badal accuses Cong, AAP of political gimmickry

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today accused Congress and AAP of "political gimmickry" and asked the people to be wary of their "nefarious designs" in Punjab where Assembly polls are due next year.
Addressing the people on first day of his Sangat Darshan programme here, Badal said, "What can people expect from Congress which had ruined our state politically, economically and religiously... Hardly any evidence was needed to prove their treachery."
None could forget Congress leadership's "unpardonable" role in river waters issues, he said, noting that Shiromani Akali Dal had always opposed the SYL canal project as it was against the "interests" of Punjab.

He said PPCC president Amarinder Singh has "no moral right to now oppose the decision" to construct the SYL canal which was thrust on Punjab by the then national Congress leadership.
Terming AAP as a "band of tricksters", Badal said that the party's leaders are "novices" and had hardly any experience to run the state.
"You (people) can judge their level of administrative acumen and capability from their Delhi model, which had proved to be an utter failure," he said.

Attacking his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Badal said he was "living in fool's paradise" that his party will rule Punjab. He has not been "even remotely associated" with the ground realities in the state and its people.

On prevailing farm crisis, Badal suggested that Centre should take an immediate call on this sensitive issue and constitute a high-powered committee comprising agriculture experts and economists to bail out the peasantry.
Badal asked upon the people not to be "swayed" by the "emotionally charged" speeches of the opposition parties which, he said, were "completely devoid" of any sincerity, loyalty and commitment towards the state and its people.