Chandigarh: Referring to the recent freebies announced by Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday attacked politicians who offer "lollipops" just ahead of polls. Sidhu also said that Punjab`s welfare comes from a roadmap and not by tactics, reflecting that infighting still persists in the state Congress unit.
His remarks came on a day when Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi announced slashing of the power tariff by ₹ 3 per unit for the domestic sector and increasing the dearness allowance for government employees.
Addressing a gathering of the Hindu Mahasabha, Sidhu wondered if anybody would talk about the welfare of the state.
Give people `lollipops` in the last two months. The question is from where they will (government) give it? Is the objective just to form government by telling lies and making false promises? Way of Punjab`s welfare comes from a roadmap," Sidhu said while addressing an event organised by the newly formed Sanyukt Hindu Mahasabha in Chandigarh on Monday.
"There should be a question in your mind whether the intention is only government formation or coming to power after speaking lies, making 500 promises or the welfare of the state," Sidhu said.
He said politics has become a profession and it is no longer a mission.
He said he would die but never sell Punjab's interests.
Mr Sidhu said Punjab had an outstanding debt of ₹ 5 lakh crore and blamed the governments that ruled the state over the last 25-30 years for this.
Municipal committees and government rest houses were mortgaged, he said, adding that this debt is to be paid by the people of the state.
"Wherever there is talk of compromise, Sidhu throws away the post so that your trust is not broken. For me, it is a 'dharm yudh'' (battle of principles) and I cannot be defeated in this 'dharm yudh', I know this," he said.
The Congress leader also took on those who say the state's coffers are filled.
"If that is the situation, then give ₹ 50,000 as salary to the ETT (Elementary Teacher Training) teachers and give it (the money) to the contractual teachers," he said.