To counter the Aam Aadmi Party’s pre-poll promise of giving Rs 1000 to every 18-plus women in Punjab, the Congress party will come up with a “separate manifesto” for the fair sex.
The manifesto, proposed by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi during his Punjab visit on Thursday, would not be a long-lengthy document, but would contain “two-three promises”.
“We should seriously consider coming up with a dedicated manifesto for the women...just two-three promises...not 15-20...just about two-three strong promises that will change the lives of our mothers and sisters. I have told them (Navjot Singh Sidhu and Charanjit Singh Channi) that they should be written in the manifesto because these women are the backbone of Punjab and usually, they don’t get the support which they should get. So, after deep thinking, we, the Congress party, should make about two-three historic revolutionary promises to the women,” said Rahul Gandhi while concluding his address to the part’s ‘Navi Soch, Nava Punjab’ virtual rally from Jalandhar.
In a run-up to multi-cornered contest, almost all political parties in Punjab are banking on women to empower them. First announcement was made by Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal to give a monthly grant of Rs 1,000 to 18-plus women. Later, Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu also promised to double the amount and much more if the party returns to power in the State.
Sidhu had announced Rs 2000 per month, eight gas cylinders a year to home-makers, electric scooters and Rs 20,000 for Class XII pass girl students taking admission in colleges for further studies, Rs 15,000 to the ones passing Class X, and Rs 5,000 to those passing Class V.
An announcement was also made to make transfer of properties in the name of women “free of any charge”. He also promised to set up 28 skill development centres for women across the State.
Sidhu’s announcement came after he had virtually taken a dig at Kejriwal’s announcement by saying that Punjab’s women were not dependent on such “lollipops”.
ENSURE POWER TO TAKE DECISIONS, DON’T LET ME BE DARSHINI GHODA: SIDHU TO RAGA
Raising the pitch to declare the chief ministerial candidate before Rahul Gandhi, the cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu gave apparent hints that he wanted more decision-making power and would not be treated like a darshini ghoda (a showpiece).
“We are all united...We are not fighting for TRPs...we are fighting to form the next government...we are fighting for the generation next... For that, if need be, you can bury me and I won't raise a voice. But give me power to take decisions...bas darshini ghoda na bna k rakh deyo (don't treat me like a showpiece),” Sidhu said addressing Rahul Gandhi with folded hands.
Sidhu raised the issue of mafia raj in the state pointing that the State was in a mess as it was caught in a huge debt trap. “People have first question in their minds is that who would take them out of the mess, second question is how would that be done. What is the agenda and the roadmap or it would be just selling lies and offering lollipops. Punjab should have faith that Punjab can stand on that agenda. Third question is who will be the face who would implement this agenda,” said Sidhu.
Continuing Sidhu said: “Make anyone the Chief Ministerial candidate, but take Punjab out of this dilemma. Take a week or 10 days; and the day you would announce, I can assure you that Congress would make its government with 70 seats. But, this dilemma should end.”
“We shall follow the high command but the agenda of ending the mafia, to have an assembly session for 100 days, nailing the bureaucracy must be fulfilled...I give my word that as a disciplined soldier, your decision will be acceptable to all in the party. We are fighting not for the next election but for the next generation of Punjab,” he added.
Also taking a jibe at the former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Sidhu said: “Our former CM became a puppet in the hands of central agencies and danced according to their tunes.”
CHANNI SEEKS ANOTHER CHANCE; PUT UP UNITED FACE
Making an apparent attempt to put up a show of camaraderie by calling Sidhu and other Congress colleagues closer, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was not left behind in staking his claim for the second term on the coveted post.
“You have seen my 111 days...If you like it, give another chance...kranti leya ke rakh deyange (We will bring revolution),” said Channi, while highlighting his pro-people decisions and works during his short tenure as the Chief Minister.
“My vessel is very small and you have already given me beyond its capacity. For a post, I can’t get my party or state damaged. I don’t need any office. Give any name and Channi would be the first to support. Other parties are taunting us. Our government should come and we should be united and shall end mafia. But people are demanding a face,” said Channi while seconding Sidhu’s demand.
Referring to AAP and Arvind Kejriwal, Channi said, “Why should we make somebody to run things from Delhi. Everything should run from Punjab itself and for that we shall remain united.”
“Sidhu saab, with folded hands I am saying...an outsider like (Arvind) Kejriwal should not say that the Congress has infighting,” said the Chief Minister dramatically while inviting Sidhu and Cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu to come over the dais and hugged them.
