Main Punjab Bolda Han: Congress, BJP boycott debate, CM Mann slams opposition on SYL, transport mafia
Ludhiana News: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hosted a grand debate at the auditorium of Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana. All major political parties in the state were invited to participate in this debate called ‘Main Punjab Bolda Han’. These invitees included Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, Akali Dal Chief Sukhbir Badal, and BJP’s Punjab President Sunil Jakhar.
Chairs were arranged in the auditorium for these four leaders, but none of them participated in the debate. Currently, only Bhagwant Mann occupies one of the five chairs set up, and he is discussing the accomplishments of previous Punjab governments.
CM Bhagwant Mann brought up the issue of transportation during the debate. While pointing to the Akali Dal chair, Mann mentioned that they had taken a circuitous route, extending it by 31 kilometers, causing private buses to charge a rent of Rs 3500 from Delhi airport. In contrast, the AAP government operates Volvo buses from Delhi airport at a cost of Rs 1100.
Additionally, toll plazas were set up during the tenure of both the Congress and Akali Dal. These toll plazas could have been closed earlier, but their deadlines were consistently extended. Since taking office, the AAP government has established 14 toll plazas.
CM Mann also emphasized the issue of the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal. He discussed the decisions made regarding SYL and introduced a booklet on Punjab’s issues. The CM noted that the AAP government has appeared in the Supreme Court three times regarding the SYL issue, refraining from submitting any affidavits. Instead, they sought to meet Energy Minister Shekhawat and declined to provide SYL water.