Taking the attack right into the Akali rank and file, thePunjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday termed it asunfortunate that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) always saw everything throughthe narrow prism of politics especially the issues of utmost importance toPunjab such as devolution of more powers to states, transfer of Chandigarh toPunjab, besides the Sri Anandpur Sahib resolution.
During his speech on the occasion of the 16th session ofthe 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister came all guns blazing at theakalis and said that they were the gateway through which the RSS, which hasalways been inimical to the interests of Punjab, managed to make inroads in theState. "When the RSS and its political wing the BJP undermined the federalstructure of the country by revoking the Article 370 not only did the Akalistook sides with the BJP but the SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal spoke infavour of the move and even went to the extent of not voting against theundemocratic move", added Channi holding akalis responsible for impositionof such decisions on Punjab.
Effectively silencing the criticism hurled at him onmeeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister Amit Shah,Channi divulged that his meetings with both the dignitaries were a courtesycall. "Perhaps the akalis have chosen to forget very conveniently that Iwrote letters to the Union Government emphasizing the reopening of the SriKartarpur Sahib corridor besides pleading with it repeatedly to roll back thethree draconian agricultural farm laws which are striking at the very roots ofthe farming sector which forms the backbone of our agrarian economy."
The Chief Minister further apprised the house that in hismeetings with the Union Government on security issues he always took theconsistent stand that international borders should be sealed so that drugscould not enter Punjab. I never ever asked them to increase the jurisdiction ofthe BSF in the State which I am being falsely accused off. I am vehemently inopposition to this move by the Government of India.
Terming the akalis as power hungry people who cry hoarse inthe name of people's issues but always turn a blind eye when in power. Callingthe SAD as the party adapt at practicing use and throw policy, the ChiefMinister said that the Akalis joined hands with BSP just to come into power,and left BSP when BJP came into power in Centre.