Parkash Singh Badal hits out at Congress, radical leaders

BATHINDA: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today lashed out at the Congress and radical leaders for "disturbing" peace and harmony in the state and called them as "two sides of the same coin".

In a show of strength, SAD today held 'Sadbhavna' rally here amid elaborate security arrangements in the wake of unrest over series of sacrilege incidents across the state.

The rally, seen as a litmus test for the party whose image took a severe beating after desecration incidents, saw massive participation of people.

The leaders from the ruling Siromani Akali Dal lashed out Congress and radical groups in the rally, which was held to promote peace and brotherhood in the state.

The rally was also attended by Punjab BJP leaders, including state party chief Kamal Sharma and Union Minister and BJP leader Vijay Sampla.

Addressing the gathering, Punjab Chief Minister and SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal said that today's gathering was not organized for any political motive or for election.

"The rally was organised to promote peace, communal harmony and brotherhood as people got scared in the wake of recent incidents in the state," Badal said.

Referring to "dark days" which left Punjab "way behind other states", Badal said that the "two forces" have again come together with an intention of disturbing hard-earned peace and communal harmony.

Criticising Congress and radical leaders for holding 'Sarbat Khalsa' at Chabba village on November 10, Badal said that "these two forces have again come together."

"SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann had stated that congregation was not for 'paschatap' (repentance)....All knew why it was held...these two forces - Congress representatives and some people (radical leaders) raised slogans over there with a motive of earning their livelihood and collect money. It has become their habit," Badal said.

"Both of them (these forces) are two sides of same coin," he said.

Asserting that SAD-BJP government will never let peace and harmony be disturbed at any cost, Badal appealed to Congress leaders Amarinder Singh and Partap Singh Bajwa to "not play with the peace and brotherhood".

"If you play with fire, your fingers will also be burnt," he added.

"Amarinder Singh ji, you wanted to become state President of Congress which attacked Golden Temple and Bajwa ji you are President of PPCC Congress which is responsible for 1984 riots," he said.