Capt Amarinder, Manpreet a spent force: Deputy Chief Minister

Faridkot, September 18
Ridiculing the Congress-led UPA Government on foreign direct investment in retail, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said before a green signal, the Centre should have taken steps to safeguard the interests of small traders.

Also, to a query about "bonhomie" between state Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh and People's Party of Punjab chief Manpreet Singh Badal, he said, "Both the leaders were spent forces and desperate to find a foothold in the state politics."

Talking to mediapersons after addressing a gathering at Jor Mela at Guru ki Dhab near Jaito, Sukhbir said, "The UPA Government should clear its stand on the controversial issue. There are a number of stake holders in the country and it is imperative for the government to dispel their fears on the issue," he stressed.

He claimed the Shiromani Akali Dal believed in value-based politics and resignation of three ministers in the past six months was a proof of this.

On the other hand, the Centre was landing itself in embarrassment as its ministers were allegedly involved in scandals but were sticking to their ministries, he said.

He said the SAD-BJP government had chalked out an ambitious plan of more than Rs 10,000 crore to upgrade the basic infrastructure to provide quality amenities in rural areas.

He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was reviewing the progress of Adarsh schools and action would be taken if any discrepancy was found in their functioning.