SAD plans foray into UP Assembly poll; Will send leaders from Punjab, says Sukhbir

SAD plans foray into UP Assembly poll

Will send leaders from Punjab, says Sukhbir

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal being honoured by villagers in Muktsar district on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Kolianwali (Lambi), July 22

The Akali Dal has started its action plan to take part in the 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. SAD president Sukhbir Badal today said the party would contest coming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and the process to shortlist in charges was under way.

“The SAD will soon appoint five in charges in Uttar Pradesh. They will be belonging to Punjab and set up party unit there. Though the number of seats and from where elections will be contested is not decided as of now, the party will contest from everywhere having possibility to win on its own symbol,” said Sukhbir, while talking to The Tribune.

He took on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying, “The real anti-poor face of the AAP is exposed from the fact that Arvind Kejriwal has set aside more than Rs 500 crore for publicity on the state’s exchequer against the meagre Rs 10 crore publicity budget of the Punjab government. This fund could have been diverted to construct streets, roads and develop other infrastructure rather than spending on publicity.”

He along with party’s district president Dyal Singh Kolianwali released the list of party’s district unit at Kolianwali village.

To introduce health card for poor

Sukhbir while addressing the public at Kattianwali village said the state government would launch health card for the poor on August 15, which would enable them free treatment up to Rs 30,000 in government hospitals.

‘Solar Summit will boost economy’

Sukhbir today hoped that the Solar Summit being held on Thursday in Chandigarh would boost the economy of the state as it had emerged as the most preferred destination for investment in non- conventional energy sector.

He urged farmers to come forward and be a part under the incentive-oriented net metering policy as it was especially designed keeping in view farmers’ interests. “The PEDA has recently got expressions of interest for 1,200 MW against the initial estimates of 500 MW solar power generations,” said Sukhbir.

VAT uniformity on diesel, patrol

On the issue of uniform VAT on diesel in the northern states, he said it was aimed at eliminating smuggling of oil from one state to other and this decision was taken unanimously by the northern states. He said VAT on petrol would be brought to the same level in the coming days as dialogue in this regard was going on.

Courtesy: The Tribune