Shiromani Akali Dal committed to get back Chandigarh: Parkash Singh Badal

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said on Thursday "no stone will be left unturned" by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to get back Punjabi-speaking areas and Chandigarh.

"To get back the Punjabi-speaking areas and Chandigarh, hitherto deprived of the state, no stone will be left unturned for getting this demand met from the NDA-led Centre," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

"In all other linguistic states the parent state has retained capital, which has not happened in case of Punjab due to the apathetic attitude of the then Congress regime. It is high time that historical mistakes are rectified and Punjab state is given its right," he said.

To a query on the equation of SAD-BJP post the results of Haryana Assembly elections, the Chief Minister said, "SAD-BJP enjoys a cemented bond and would continue to do so, as the alliance between both the parties was everlasting." Earlier, he paid rich tributes to Sant Fateh Singh on his 42nd death anniversary at a state level function organised at his native village here.

Remembering the founder of modern day Punjab for his contribution towards formation of the state, the chief minister said Sant Fateh Singh contributed immensely towards formation of Punjab as Punjabi speaking state.

He announced that the death anniversary of Sant Fateh Singh would be observed each year as a state level function.