For weeks, Congress leaders were crying hoarse about the alleged high-handedness of Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal and his government during the panchayat samiti and block elections.
Keeps special chairs, chefs ready to greet agitating Congress leaders
CHANDIGARH: For weeks, Congress leaders were crying hoarse about the alleged high-handedness of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his government during the panchayat samiti and block elections. They called it “murder of democracy” at the grassroots level and boycotted elections at a few places.
But on Thursday, as Congress members led by PCC president Rajinder Kaur Bhattal proposed to stage a dharna in front of the chief minister’s residence, Badal spread out a red carpet for them complete with a banner at the entrance that read “opposition leaders are welcome,” two special chairs for Bhattal and former chief minister Amarinder Singh, besides elaborate sitting arrangements for the rest.
Not just that, the chief minister also requisitioned services of special cooks to serve tea and sweets to the opposition members. But the Congress leaders could savour none of Badal’s hospitality, as they were whisked away by police before they could march to the CM’s residence.
Badal, who waited for more than three hours for his ‘guests’ to arrive, later told media persons he was prepared to listen to their grievances, but firmly denied any irregularities had been committed during the elections.
Last week too, the chief minister had made elaborate arrangements for Congress leaders demonstrating before his residence. Even though Badal was not present, there was a red carpet welcome awaiting the opposition. But the agitated Congress leaders instead burnt an effigy of the CM at his gate and regretted the manner in which Badal tried to ridicule their protest.
Bhattal later said the Congress would present a memorandum to the governor. She said the entire election machinery was doing the bidding of the ruling party.
b_ajay@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}