CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab Chief Minister and Chairman of campaign committee of PPCC Saturday alleged that Vigilance Bureau was harassing him and his family members at the behest of Sukhbir Singh Badal and said that registration of criminal cases against him was an attempt to curtail his movement during election campaigning.

Addressing media in Chandigarh Press Club, Amarinder Singh accompanied by his son Raninder Singh said that he was not scared of Vigilance cases but his main concern was harassment of Congress workers in the state. He said that about 12000 FIR's of murder and attempt to murder of Congressmen were registered. He said that a free and fair election couldn't be held in Punjab under the Punjab police. He demanded from Election Commission of India to deploy Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) in whole of Punjab during Lok Sabha poll.

Amarinder Singh said that even the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Kusamjit Sidhu has stated that five Parliament constituencies are sensitive. He however said that all constituencies were sensitive and people will not be allowed to cast their votes freely. He said that he would take up the cases of atrocities on Congress workers with Election Commission of India and National Human Rights Commission.

Refuting the allegations of money laundering through certain Kolkatta based companies, Amarinder Singh said that he had taken loans from Banks for his mushroom project but that company was closed in 1991. However, a dispute with Bank of Baroda continued over repayment of loan. He said that bank had given them settlement certificate but later raised additional amount. The Debt Recovery Tribunal had given the ruling in his(Amarinder Singh) favour and matter was settled. He said that all the deals of company were scrutinised by Income Tax department and a clearance certificate was given. He said that even if there is some dispute between his company and Bank of Baroda, how Badal government is involved. Does Punjab government own Bank of Baroda, he asked ?

He stated that all the cases registered against him by Vigilance Bureau were false and conspiracy to engage him in litigation before elections. He said that his son was being implicated in cases because he is candidate from Bathinda Lok Sabha seat. He said that he would contest the cases in the court of law.

Amarinder Singh also asserted that people in Punjab were fed up with the present regime and look towards Congress party. He said that there was complete unity in the Punjab Congress though on certain issues senior leaders had difference of opinion. "It is part of democracy to raise voice within party", he said.

Raninder Singh said that he may or may not get party ticket from Bathinda but in any case he would campaign for party candidate in Bathinda. He said that SAD leaders are scared from his candidature.