No SAD candidate will be changed, asserts Badal

NAWANSHEHAR: Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) president Parkash Singh Badal who arrived here Tuesday to pacify party rebel Resham Singh Thiara, asserted that no candidate announced by the party would be changed.

NAWANSHEHAR: Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) president Parkash Singh Badal who arrived here Tuesday to pacify party rebel Resham Singh Thiara, asserted that no candidate announced by the party would be changed.  

Thiara's supporters were up in arma against denial of ticket to him but after personal request by Badal, he agreed to support the official candidate.

"It is not the question of candidates. The important thing for the masses is who is going to form the next government in the state," said Badal who hinted at giving some important position to Thiara in case his party came to power. On his part, Thiara termed himself as a faithful soldier of SAD and promised to work wholeheartedly for the success of party candidate Jatinder Singh Kariha who was also present along with his supporters.

Meanwhile, Badal dubbed Capt Amrinder Singh government "a failed and a corrupt regime". "The Congress being a badly divided house in Punjab, the party has failed to announce its candidates so far," charged the SAD supremo. He further lashed out at the Capt government for announcing to contest the ensuing poll on the development plank. "Which sector has seen development in Capt's regime?" he asked, adding that the state went down to 5th position from the position of being number one state in the country during the past five year rule of Capt Amrinder Singh. Badal, if voted to power, announced to set up three development boards-one each for the traders, large industry and the small industrial sector-in order to empower these sectors and to alleviate their hardships.

He added that his party on coming to power would also set up Urban Cooperative Banks on the pattern of Rural Cooperative Banks for the benefit of marginal traders including kiosk-owners and 'rehriwalas'. To a question, Badal maintained that his party would not indulge in vindictive policy or programme. "Our top priority will be development and rest everything will be as per the rule of law," he said. He reiterated his party's stand for more powers to the states. He claimed that the congress would be swept out during the forthcoming poll.

Along with Thiara, he also thanked the other aspirant for the ticket, SAD district president (rural) Mohinder Singh Hussainpuri for agreeing to work for the victory of the party nominee. Badal on the occasion did not forget to thank the people of Nawanshahr for ensuring overwhelming victory for his candidate during the bypoll in February 2000. Earlier, on his arrival participated in the birthday celebrations of Thiara son Ramandeep Singh Thiara.

Later, he particpated in the 'ardas'  ceremony on the occasion of Bhog of Sukhmani Sahib in the election office of party candidate Jatinder Singh Kariha, near Gurudwara Singh Sabha. Other senior SAD leaders who were present included Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, SSF president Gurcharan Singh Grewal, SGPC member Gurbax Singh Khalsa and Jarnail Singh Wahid. (Photos:ht-jan16-1: A view of the SAD workers who had gathered at the house of Resham Singh Thiara.