Asha Kumari, Capt Amarinder meet ex-PM to discuss key points
New Delhi, December 29, 2016: World-renowned economist and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will release the assembly election manifesto of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) soon. Though the manifesto release date is yet to be finalized, Dr. Manmohan Singh agreed to launch the document, defining the party’s blueprint for governance in Punjab, at a meeting with AICC in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari and PPCC president Captain Amarinder Singh here on Thursday. Asha Kumari and Captain Amarinder discussed with Dr. Singh the key points in the manifesto, which will now be given the final shape by the PPCC manifesto committee, led by former Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal.
Talking to media persons later, Asha Kumari said it had been decided by the party to take Dr. Singh’s views on the manifesto draft before releasing it in view of his expertise on economic issues. “The Congress does not believe in taking arbitrary decisions, without understanding the nuances of the subject, and felt it was important to involve Dr. Singh in the finalisation of the manifesto, given its impact on the people of Punjab,” said Asha Kumari. She contrasted the Congress functioning with the dictatorial style of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was yet to disclose whom he had consulted on demonetisation decision, despite AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s repeated queries on the issue. Captain Amarinder said Dr. Singh gave his valuable inputs on the manifesto – a comprehensive document addressing issues relating to every section of Punjab’s society. Pointing out that the Badal government had plunged the people of Punjab into a state of despair with its ill-conceived and anti-people policies, Captain Amarinder said the Congress manifesto was designed to bring the state back on the track of growth and progress. The manifesto, said Captain Amarinder, seeks to give concrete shape to the promises he had made to the people of Punjab, and which he is totally committed to realize. The PPCC president disclosed that the manifesto would be simultaneously released in key cities of Punjab to coincide with its release in New Delhi by Dr. Singh to ensure that it is disseminated across the state, reaching out to the maximum number of people.