Chandigarh, December 13, 2016: Union food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today described the rantings over inauguration of work of an air conditioned bus stand by her at Bathinda by former finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal as signs of frustration and despair as the ground was slipping beneath his feet.
"Everyone knows Manpreet Badal wants to contest the next elections from the Bathinda Urban assembly seat. He is understandably frustrated at the launch of work of an air conditioned bus stand in the city as well as the slew of projects in Bathinda district including the AIIMS hospital institution".
Commenting on a statement made by Manpreet on this issue along with a present and former MLA, the Union minister said the former PPP leader turned Congress leader's statement was an insult to progressive Punjabis. "Are you alone supposed to enjoy air conditioned comfort? Why can't the ordinary person avail this facility? Don't get so blind in your criticism that you start advocating denying development opportunities to the people of Punjab", Mrs Badal said.
She said this behaviour however was not new as far as Manpreet Badal was concerned. "As finance minister in the earlier SAD- BJP government he wanted to roll back the free power facility extended to farmers by S Parkash Singh Badal. He was also against extending welfare schemes to the under privileged. It is natural for such a person to want to deny an air conditioned bus stand facility to Punjabis".
Speaking for the Congress, the Union minister said Mr Amarinder Singh had as chief minister derailed the establishment of the Bathinda refinery. "Recently Mr Amarinder wanted to sit on dharna to stop the start of work on AIIMS. What can people expect from this party which has always worked against the interests of Punjab?"
Asking Manpreet to look within Mrs Badal said "you want to become a legislator from Bathinda but want to stall all development work in Bathinda. Before trying to contest from Bathinda you must tell its people why you are coming in the way of progress of the city. If you cannot explain this it is better you apologise to Bathindites and at least refrain from coming in the way of development of the city"