SAD-BJP to gherao Assembly today

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 19

The first day of the Budget session on Tuesday is likely to see action outside the Vidhan Sabha. With the SAD-BJP preparing to gherao the Assembly in protest against the government’s failure to waive the entire farm debt, they are unlikely to attend the House on day 1.

Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday reviewed the preparations for a party rally before the said protest. He visited the rally venue at Sector 25 here along with former ministers Sikander Singh Maluka and Daljit Singh Cheema.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, meanwhile, challenged the Akalis to gherao Parliament to pressure the Centre for relief for farmers instead of indulging in “theatrics” outside the state Assembly.

Amarinder ridiculed Sukhbir for shedding crocodile tears for the farmers after “failing to do anything for them during 10 years of the SAD-BJP rule”.

Not only had the Akalis failed to extend even an iota of support to the distressed farming community during their regime, they had also not done anything to persuade the BJP-led Union Government in the past four years to come out with a debt waiver scheme, said the CM.

On the other hand, Sukhbir said party workers were determined to reach the Vidhan Sabha to make the Congress government hear the voice of the farmers, who were in a state of despair at the government’s U-turn on its promise. He said the SAD had resolved to force the government to implement a complete loan waiver for farmers, farm labourers and Dalits.

Cong to firm up strategy

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has convened a general meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) on Tuesday. AC Kaushik, office secretary, CLP, said the meeting would discuss business before the House during the Budget session. The party will also firm up its strategy to take on the Opposition.