Chandigarh, September 15
Reacting to former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s allegations against him with reference to his statement on the impact of the farmers’ stir on the state’s economy, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said no Akali leader had the moral right to speak on the crisis triggered by the farm laws as they when they were part of the Centre and party to its decisions.
Slamming Harsimrat’s suggestion that the farmers should protest in Punjab while their fight was against the BJP-led government at the Centre, the Chief Minister quipped “it’s like asking someone to go to the western front to fight an enemy that is standing at the eastern border.” He alleged Akalis were trying to divert the farmers’ attention from the Centre to the state, with an eye on the Assembly polls, unmindful of the harm this would cause to the state and to the farmers themselves.
Many Jobs lost
Many have lost jobs due the stirhellip; are you saying that as CM, I have no responsibility to these people? —Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief minister
He’s rattled
His rant against me proves how badly he has been rattled by being told not to demonise the peaceful farmer of Punjab. —Harsimrat Badal, SAD leader
Trashing Harsimrat’s allegation that he had failed to fulfil his responsibilities to the people, the Chief Minister pointed out that already many had lost their jobs and many more were likely to be rendered jobless as a result of the continued stir. “Even members of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and FICCI have warned that the continued stir would have a long-term ‘deleterious impact’ on Punjab’s industry and commerce. Are you saying that as Chief Minister, I have no responsibility to all these people?” he asked Harsimrat. — TNS
Captain takes on Harsimrat, says SAD diverting attention
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