Channi can't keep Punjab secure: Shah

Ludhiana, Feb 13 (IANS) Slamming Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi over breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security during his visit to Punjab, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday wondered how a Chief Minister who could not provide a secure route to the Prime Minister keep the state secure.

"CM Channi is dreaming of forming a Congress government in Punjab again. A chief minister who cannot provide a secure route to the Prime Minister of India, can he provide security to Punjab?" Shah said at an election rally in Ludhiana.

The Union Minister was referring to the security breach on January 5 that left Modi stranded on a flyover in Ferozepur for around 20 minutes.

"Channi has no moral authority to rule for a second term as he cannot keep the state secure."

Promising to open Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) branch offices in Punjab, the state where the heroin smuggling along the international border is high as it shares a 553-km barbed-wire fenced border with Pakistan, the BJP leader said if the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is voted to power in the state, it would set up the NCB branches in four districts to curb the menace of drugs abuse.

"The NDA would also constitute an anti-drugs task force in all districts," he said.

Hitting out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Shah said: "Kejriwal has nothing to do with Punjab's safety, only NDA can protect the state."

He called upon the people to vote for BJP-led alliance for stability, development and good governance of the state.

On religious conversions, Shah said it was one of the major issues plaguing. "Religious conversions of Sikhs and Hindus are a major issue in Punjab. The Congress government led by Charanjit Channi or AAP can't stop these conversions. There is only one party that can stop such conversions -- the BJP."

Targeting the Congress, he said no one can forget the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. "It still brings tears to the eyes. Channi should explain this sin committed by the Congress."

Pleading the electorates to give one chance to the NDA to serve the state, Shah said the people of Punjab have already given multiple chances to SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal) and the Congress. "Now they should give a chance to the BJP if they want the place to be in safe hands and to uproot the drug and other mafias in the state."

In the fray for 117 seats in Punjab are two prominent parties -- the ruling Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, and two alliances -- the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party (SAD-BSP) and the BJP-Punjab Lok Congress.

From 1997 onwards, SAD had fought all the elections in the state in alliance with the BJP, winning three Assembly elections, till September 2020 when the former objected to the three now revoked contentious farm laws and walked out of the NDA in protest.

Related story:

Give Modi five years: Amit Shah

Ludhiana, February 13 (City Air News): Union Home Minister Amit Shah today appealed people of Punjab to give five years to Narendra Modi for overall progress and development of Punjab. Addressing a massive rally here today, Shah started his speech after paying obeisance to ten Sikh Gurus and Guru Granth Sahib. He said, Punjab and the Sikhs had a special place in India. Punjab is the heart of India and without Punjab India cannot be imagined even, he said, amidst thundering applause from the crowds who had gathered at the historic Daresi Grounds here today.

Shah recalled the contribution of Punjab in providing security to the nation. He said, from Mughals to the British, the Punjabis had always defended the country against the enemies. Even now, he added, after independence Punjabis continue to defend the nation. Greatest number of sacrifices are by the Punjabi soldiers only. Making an impassioned appeal to Punjabis to give Modi five years, the Home Minister said, he has special love and fondness for Punjabis and Sikhs.

Shah pointed out, it was Mr Modi who punished the culprits of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He said, Rajeev Gandhi had said, when big tree falls, earth shakes. Earth did not shake, you killed innocent people and did not give them justice, he said adding, it was Modi who set up an SIT that resulted in the culprits going behind bars.

Shah said, it was because of the personal interest and initiative of the Prime Minister Modi that Kartapur Sahib Corridor was opened and completed within shortest period of time at an expenditure of Rs 120 crores. He said, Modi had declared December 26, the martyrdom day of the two younger Sahibzadas, Sahbizada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh as the national “Bal Veer Diwas”. Besides, he added, the Modi government had exempted the items consumed in langar from the GST. Also, he said, the Modi government had provided Durbar Sahab the registration under FCRA which will facilitate hassle free donations to Golden Temple from devotees living abroad.

Listing out the mission for Punjab, Shah promised drug-free Punjab, mafia free Punjab and a peaceful Punjab.

He questioned the credentials of Charanjit Singh Channi to be the Chief Minister. He said, a CM who could not secure the route for the Prime Minister of the country does not deserve to be the Chief Minister. In an indirect dig at the AAP, he said, governance is a serious business and not a comedy show. He said, Punjab was an important border state which needs a strong, honest and mature leadership.

Shah also promised to finish the practice of conversions in Punjab once the BJP led NDA government is formed in the state. He said, Punjab was having the problem of religious conversions and it was beyond the capacity of CM Channi to stop these. In a special message to the farmers of Punjab, the Home Minister said, the NDA government will ensure the soil health, encourage crop diversification and change of cropping pattern. He said, Punjabi farmers have fed the nation all these years and they deserve to be incentivised and their incomes will be increased.

While appealing people to elect NDA, he said, it will ensure that Ludhiana bicycles are available around the world.

Others present on the occasion included Union Minister and BJP incharge for Punjab Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,  Meenakshi Lekhi, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and others.

Shah appealed for votes for party and alliance candidates including Jagmohan Sharma, Praveen Bansal, Gurdev Sharma Debi, Prem Mittal, Satinder Satha, Vikram Singh Sidhu, SR Lidder and Damanjit Singh Mohi.