Congress in Punjab will burn an effigy of 'Chitta Ravan' in Ludhiana to draw Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attention to the drug menace in the state during his visit to the industrial city on October 18.
Modi will address industrialists at an event in the city on October 18. "Chitta" means drugs in colloquial language.
"As soon as Modi starts speaking, the 'Chitta Ravan' will go up in flames," Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh told media persons in Ludhiana.
"I will personally set fire to the Chitta Ravan. Let them try and stop me if they can...I want to show the Prime Minister what kind of goondas he is supporting," he said.
"Let Modi also get a taste of how Punjab is burning under the Akali rule," the former Punjab Chief Minister said, launching a frontal attack on the state government on the issue of drug menace.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Ludhiana on October 18 to attend a function being organised by the MSME Ministry where he will give away national awards to outstanding micro, small and medium enterprises.
Launching the party's "war against drugs" from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's home turf, the PPCC president had yesterday announced that Congress leaders and workers would "blast" the 'Chitta Ravana' in all the 117 Assembly constituencies in the state.
Describing the 'Chitta Ravana' as a "demonic symbol" of the Badal government's "evil dispensation", Amarinder said his party would fight the drug menace in the state till it's completely wiped out.
Early in the day, AICC Secretary Harish Chaudhary told reporters in Chandigarh, "The Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to burn the 'Chitta Ravan' in Ludhiana on October 18 when PM will visit the city. It will be a symbolic event."
"Congress is committed to eliminating the drug menace from Punjab," he said.
Congress spokesperson and former Legislative Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar tweeted: "PM to face 'Chitta' truth of Punjab drug menace. Congress to burn 'Chitta-Ravan' during PM Modi's visit to Ludhiana on 18th Oct.
Amarinder held the Badal government responsible for the
"deteriorating" law and order situation in Punjab and alleged a "deep-rooted" nexus between Akali leaders and the state's liquor and drug mafias.
He also criticised the reported lathi charge on protesting government workers in the Chief Minister's Lambi village.
Warning the SAD government against continuing with its "repressionist" policies, he said the people of the state will use their votes to throw Badal and his cronies out of power.
"The Akalis will have to pay dearly for their rampant abuse of power," the PPCC chief said.
Amarinder also visited DCC chief Gurpreet Gogi who was on Dussehra eve attacked by Akali workers.
Reacting to Congress' announcement, SAD spokesman Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal said, "This hoopla is unlikely to yield political dividends, but will certainly create bad blood."
"Burning effigies round the year only reflects on the "mental bankruptcy" of Congress," he added.
Grewal said it was beyond any comprehension as to what "Amarinder Singh and company" was out to accomplish through the dharna at the official residence of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Instead of reaching out to voters in the state, the entire Congress leadership is huddled in a tent outside CM's residence, he said.
