Senior Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh today claimed there is "widespread resentment" and "disillusionment" among the Akali rank and file against the Badals, saying several Akali leaders are in regular touch with him to join hands.
"There is widespread resentment and disillusionment prevailing among the Akali rank and file against the Badals and it will be manifested in 2017 assembly elections. Several Akali leaders are in regular touch and were waiting for the elections to join hands," the Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar said here while addressing a public rally organised by PCC vice president and ex-MLA Gurpreet Singh Kangar.
Amarinder said every section of the people including the Akalis was feeling "disillusioned" as the Badals had not been able to look beyond their own family interests.
"Not only in Punjab, even abroad people are angry with them and this anger was vented at the Akali leaders when they went on a tour of North America", he pointed out, while criticising Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal for alleging that those who opposed the Akalis in North America were "Khalistan" supporters.
"They are the people who are concerned about Punjab and have been victimised here with false cases and suffered land grabbing and they had every reason to show their resentment against the Akalis", he said, adding, it was highly condemnable on part of Sukhbir to write off everybody as a "Khalistani".
Referring to the alleged discrimination and victimisation by the Akalis with the areas supporting the Congress, Amarinder regretted their (Akalis') mindset of behaving in such a manner.
"Does that mean when I come to power tomorrow I will stop all development work in Badal's village", he asked, adding that for the government, everybody should be same and equal.
He accused Badal of spreading the disinformation campaign that if Congress comes to power it will stop the free electricity to the farmers
The former Chief Minister reiterated that not only will his government if elected in 2017 will continue with the free power to the farmers and the dalits consuming 200 units of power, but he will ensure that they get the regular power supply, which they are not getting right now.
