Senior Congress leader and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today attended a roadshow on the last day of campaigning for the Shahkot Assembly bypoll, scheduled to be held on Monday, and held the Shiromani Akali Dal responsible for "total lack of development" in the constituency represented by it for the last 14 years.
The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of SAD legislator Ajit Singh Kohar.
Exuding confidence that Congress candidate Hardev Singh Laddi would win the bye-election with a sweeping mandate, he said the momentum for a clear and resounding victory had been built over the past few days by the party.
The chief minister lashed out at the SAD for alleged total lack of development in Shahkot during the 14 years in which they had represented the constituency and said in contrast, the Congress had in just 14 months brought development back on track across the state.
Amarinder Singh said that he had announced infrastructure development projects worth Rs 113 crore for Shahkot in March this year and promised the people that his government would continue to invest in their welfare.
Castigating the Akalis for their "propaganda" on the issue of compensation for muskmelon farmers, whose crop had been destroyed due to hailstorm, the chief minister said assessment of losses has been completed and compensation would be released after the model code of conduct is lifted.
The dues of the sugar mill owners, to the tune of Rs 70 crore, has also been released by the government and the same would be disbursed after the election is over, he said and accused the opposition of trying to indulge in petty politics over such sensitive issues.
According to the SAD's demand, CRPF personnel have been deployed for the election and now the opposition will have no excuse for their defeat in the polls, Amarinder Singh told reporters during the five-hour-long roadshow.
In response to a question, he said the Congress government in Punjab had inherited a "bankrupt state" but made a good start with the farm loan waiver and employment generation schemes.
The Congress would fulfill all its pre-poll promises, Amarinder Singh asserted.
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