 "Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal")
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday attacked the Delhi chief MinisterArvind Kejriwal claiming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief has no affection for Punjab as he is from Haryana and his sole intention is to wrest power in Punjab to benefit his native state.
"Since Kejriwal hails from Haryana, he was naturally inclined towards safeguarding the interests of his state," Badal told a gathering during Sangat Darshan programme in Fatehgarh Churian Assembly in Bhagowal.
He cited the Delhi Chief Minister's stand on Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue and said it will deprive Punjab of its water.
Earlier this year, while in Punjab, Kejriwal had said the state does not have a single drop of water to spare for Haryana, but later, in an affidavit in the apex court on April 4, his government supported Haryana's stand on completing the SYL canal.
"All Punjabis would have to struggle to save every single drop of water because if AAP and Congress succeed in their designs, none could save Punjab from becoming a desert," he said.
Badal's offensive came as AAP has stepped up its campaign, targeting the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over drug issue and agricultural distress, for the Assembly polls in the state due next year.
Badal alleged while Congress signed various agreements to deprive Punjab of its waters, the AAP is now trying its level best to ensure they are implemented at the earliest.
Targeting Congress, he alleged it has never missed an opportunity to meddle in the religious affairs of the Sikhs, and said younger generation should not forget the action on the Golden Temple in 1984.
Badal said, "the 1984 Sikh genocide after the death of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi badly tormented the community's psyche and it's our duty to sensitize the younger generation on this issue."
Listing out major initiatives taken by his government, the Chief Minister claimed that due to concerted efforts of the SAD-BJP alliance government, Punjab is currently the only power surplus state in the country.
