After ‘friendly match’ barb, Sidhu fires ‘collusion’ salvo
AMRITSAR : Two days after he talked of “friendly match” at an election event in Bathinda with regard to ‘inaction’ by the Capt Amarinder-led government against culprits of sacrilege incidents, Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday appealed to the Congress rank and file to “defeat those who are in collusion (with opponents) and damaging the interests of the party”.
This time as well, he did not name anyone, but he reiterated no action has been taken so far against the SAD leaders who had a role in sacrilege incidents of 2015.
“Entire community is hurt by sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, the pages of which were torn and found on streets and in drains in 2015. All know, wounds of the soul remain forever. Public is the real court to deliver justice in this case and it is the special investigation
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Do not put words into my mouth that I have said something against the CM. I have asked the voters... they should punish those who... back-stabbed Congress. NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU, Punjab minister
team (SIT) as well. So, I appeal to it (the public) to bring the culprits to justice,” Sidhu said after casting his vote here.
BATHINDA/AMRITSAR/PATIALA :Jobs, infrastructure and development were high on the wish list of firsttime voters across the state, who were visibly excited on getting their fingers inked on Sunday.
The Election Commission (EC) this time made special arrangements to give them appreciation certificates for casting their vote.
The minds of young voters were full of questions and issues, on the basis of which they formed their opinion as to whom to vote for. They said they follow what various parties have been promising and delivering when they are voted to power.
In Bathinda, Ajay Kumar, 22, a student of electronics at a private industrial training institute, said, “Employment is the biggest issue. The present state government and the previous government didn’t succeed in providing jobs to youth.”
Spiti, 18, an MBBS student at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, feels that infrastructure development is her main concern and she voted while considering which political party has worked for his.
Pritpal Singh, 19, a student of production engineering at the government polytechnic at Bathinda, said parties make so many promises to people but do not fulfil these. “While voting, I kept the issue of performance in my mind.”
Amitoj Singh, 19, a BTech student at Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, said various parties have failed to come up to the expectations of youth for employment generation, so he opted to vote for NOTA.
In Amritsar, Gursewak Singh (21), a college student, said “The youth in the state want to settle abroad, but if the new government provides enough job opportunities, it can stop the trend.”
Siya Nayyar, 21, wants more job opportunities for women and stricter laws against harassment so that one can work with ease.”
Vanshika Sharma, 22, another college student, said, “I hope the next government creates more job opportunities for general category in government sector.”
In Patiala, Jyoteshwar, 20, said, “We are hoping that our country will get the best government which will come up with an inclusive plan for the overall development.”
Simarjeev Singh, 19, said it was the experience of a lifetime for him to press the EVM button for the first time. “Before voting, I gathered information about the main candidates and their ideologies.”