Manpreet Singh for formation of New Front

Muktsar : Former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today said he had to leave the Punjab Cabinet despite the fact that he had neither bargained with anyone against the interests of Punjab nor had he taken commission from any one, but the people who had got commissions were still in the Punjab Cabinet. He also asked the people to tell him what was his fault due to which he had to leave the Cabinet. He said if there was any fault on his part, it was that he had spoken about changing the destiny of Punjab by way of removing illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, etc. Manpreet was addressing his ‘Jago Punjab conference’ organised on the occasion of Maghi Mela here. In this conference, besides his supporters and followers, wearing saffron strips on their foreheads, a large number of other people also took part. Manpreet and others also paid tributes to the 40 ‘Muktas’. Manpreet also gave a clarion call to the people of Punjab to participate in his conference at Khatkar Kalan, the birth place of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, in Nawanshahr district on March 23, the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, for creating a bright future for the coming generations. Regarding creation of a third front, Manpreet said, “Call it ‘new front’ instead of third front.” He said he would chalk out modalities of the ‘new front’ by March 23 to present the same at the March 23 conference at Khatkar Kalan. Earlier, his staunch supporter and former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh termed Manpreet a builder of the third front to be created in the near future. Manpreet also reiterated for the last time (in his words) that he would not betray the people of Punjab by joining the SAD again as people did not love Manpreet, but loved his principles. He also said that he had not come here to seek votes; he had come here to prepare the people for getting justice and bringing a revolution for a bright future of the state. He said today’s conference showed that Punjab’s destiny would change soon. Some resolutions were also passed by the gathering that included liberation from the pain and agony that have gripped Punjab, participation in the ‘Jago Punjab’ movement for bringing a new democratic socio-political order in Punjab. Among others who were present or spoke on the occasion included Bir Devinder Singh, former Deputy Speaker; Bharat Bhushan, a nephew of Shaheed Sukhdev; Abhey Singh Sandhu, a nephew of Shaheed Bhagat Singh; Gurdas Singh Badal, father of Manpreet Singh Badal; Manjinder Singh Kang, MLA; Jagbir Singh Brar, MLA; Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon, ex-MLA.