Ahead of AAP's proposed programme to gherao his residence to protest against the alleged food grain scam and farmer's issues here tomorrow, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said he will be "available for discussion" on any issue concerning the people of the state.
The Chief Minister has cancelled his engagements in view of the reported gherao by Aam Aadmi Party even though they (AAP) have "not sent" any formal information to this effect, Chief Minister's Advisor on National Affairs, Harcharan Bains said in a statement.
Badal will be available at his residence to receive "any responsible political leader or representative for discussion on any issue concerning the people of the state," he said.
Over the proposed gherao by AAP, Badal said, "It (AAP) has already betrayed the farmers of Punjab by backing out on the SYL issue. They cannot now pretend to be the sympathisers and supporters of the same farmers."
The AAP had first declared that the waters of Punjab rivers belonged to the state but it changed its stand and filed an affidavit against Punjab's plea in the Supreme Court, he said.
They changed their stand again when they were forced to withdraw that affidavit because of "opportunistic" electoral considerations, Badal said.
"They openly declared that it did not matter to them whether the farmers in Punjab lived or died because of the SYL construction. Such a party cannot now pretend to seriously articulate the problems of the same farmers," said Badal.
The Chief Minister said he would fulfil his "democratic obligation" and remain present to engage in any "responsible, meaningful and serious discussion" with any representative of the people.
"The doors of my house remain open 24 hours every day to listen to people and their representatives and solve their problems. Tomorrow will be no exception," Badal said in a statement here this evening.
AAP workers had proposed to gherao Badal's residence here tomorrow in protest against alleged food grain scam and farmers' suicide.
On the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, Badal said
it would never become a reality and avowed to make every sacrifice to protect the river waters of the state.
"SYL agreement was a grave injustice done by successive Congress governments with the state. Right from the beginning the SAD was opposed to this agreement which robbed the water of state. Now also, we are firm on our stand to not allow the construction of this canal at any cost," he said.
The Chief Minister also slammed Congress "for giving pivotal role to the perpetrators of 1984 anti-Sikh riots."
Slamming his Delhi counterpart, Arvind Kejriwal, for allegedly taking anti-Punjab stance on SYL issue, Badal alleged, "As the AAP convener hailed from Haryana, he is naturally inclined towards safeguarding the interests of his state and nothing good for Punjab can be expected from him."
Claiming that Kejriwal has no affection for Punjab or its people and his sole "intention" is to "wrest political power" in the state, he alleged, "The love of Delhi Chief Minister is confined only up to attaining political power."
Interacting with mediapersons at Fakkarsar village, Badal advocated the continuation of MSP regime of procurement of crops for providing food and nutritional security to the country.
He said for revival of agriculture sector, which has now turned to be non-profitable due to high input costs and low returns resulting in mounting farmers' debt and suicides, continuation of procurement at MSP is the need of the hour.
Badal said continuing this system of price support mechanism to the farmers is a must for bailing them out of the current agrarian crisis.
