Majithia urges youth to work unitedly

Sahnewal : “The youth of the state should rise to the occasion and contribute positively towards making Punjab a fit example to be quoted by the neighbouring states”. These words were uttered by Bikram Majithia, patron of the Youth Akali Dal, while addressing the youth Akali leaders and workers at Jifco resorts here today. Addressing a gathering in Sahnewal, the patron of the Youth Akali Dal, congratulated Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, in charge, Sahnewal Assembly Constituency, on organising such a huge rally at a small town like Sahnewal. Accusing the Congress government and lauding the achievements of the Akali-BJP combine at the same time, he said, “It was a period of retarded growth for Punjab during the rule of Capt Amarinder Singh”. Blaming the Congress, he said, “While the Opposition generally sits and views the things from a high pedestal, it is the alliance that believes in reaching out to the common man.” He added that Parkash Singh Badal had left no stone unturned to make Punjab the most prosperous state. Majithia said not a single unit had been added to power generation in the state during the Congress regime. “But we have ensured a 24-hour supply to all houses, tubewells and industry.”

He said there had been practically no sphere left unattended and untouched by the government. “If one compares the 15-year rule of the Congress government at the time when it was the same government both at the state as well at the Centre with our three-and-a-half year time period, one will be able to make out the difference.”  He rued that the Centre had always meted out a step-motherly treatment to Punjab. Criticising the Congress-led UPA government, he said the government at the Centre, with its lopsided economic policies, had made the life of poor people a hell, as they were forced to live in a state of utter penury. As a patron of the Youth Akali Dal, he exhorted the youth to make the party strong so that the Akali government could eradicate social evils like drugs, dowry and female foeticide. He asked them to channelise their energies in a proper direction and work for the common good and general welfare. He said Bathinda refinery should not be closed at any cost and no such strategy of the Opposition, which could prove detrimental for the public health, should be allowed to see light of the day. Majithia said the SAD with the support of all Punjabis would scuttle the design and conspiracy of PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh to pledge the panchayati and farmers’ land to Ambanis.

Majithia announced that he would request the party president to give 33 per cent representation to the youth in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha elections. He said Sukhbir Singh Badal had already given due representation to the youth in Lok Sabha, zila parishads and municipal committees. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, in charge, Sahnewal Assembly constituency, said once the sewerage, water supply, street lighting and road construction projects were accomplished, the town would bear an entirely new look. “It is the sincere effort of the government to provide people of the town with all such basic amenities of which they have been sadly deprived of by the Congress government,” he added. Darshan Singh Shivalik, in charge, Gill constituency, said the development which had taken place in the constituency had been stupendous and people could clearly differentiate between the non-functional governance of the Congress and the target-oriented regime of the Akali Dal. Manpreet Singh Ayali, chairman, zila parishad, Santa Singh Umedpuri, president, District Akali Dal, Tarsem Singh Bhinder, councillor, municipal corporation, Ludhiana, Suirnder Singh Grewal, media in charge, Youth Akali Dal, Sharanjit Singh Garcha, member, zila parishad, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary, Akali Dal Ludhiana, Rupinder Singh Benipal, Inder Mohan Singh Kadian, Jagjiwan Singh Kheernia, Pupinder Singh Grewal, senior Akali leader, Ajmer Singh Dhillon, chairman, Milk Plant and Pawan Kumar Tinku were among those who were present.