Sukhbir ‘retracts’ from his comment on Haryana govt

Says he meant no governance for 10 years, not 11

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 2

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal today retracted from his statement yesterday where he said there was no government control in Haryana for the past 11 years.

He said he actually wanted to say 10 years. “I was speaking against the successive Congress government in Haryana at an INLD rally yesterday. It was just a slip of tongue that I referred to 11 years rather than 10 years. No other meaning should be derived out of this statement.”

On criticism over playing cards at Badal village recently, Sukhbir said: “I am least bothered about such statements. One must always think positive.”

Rs 2.5 cr for Muktsar village

Sukhbir today visited Sakkanwali village in Muktsar Assembly segment where the panchayat developed a village pond into a beautiful lake. He also launched the boating facility in the lake.

Impressed with the development works carried out by the panchayat, Sukhbir sanctioned Rs2.5 crore for the village. He said: “I will ask MLAs to visit this village and carry out similar development works in their areas. Even the sarpanch of my native village Badal will be sent here to study the project.”

Avoids talking on controversial matters

Sukhbir preferred to keep mum over controversial issues such as proposed “Sarbat Khalsa” by Sikh groups, desertion of Akali Dal by Balwant Singh Ramoowalia and ordering of CBI probe into the Bargari village sacrilege incident.

Calls Manpreet ‘younger brother’

Sukhbir showed love for his estranged cousin Manpreet Badal, terming him his “younger brother”. His comment even surprised those accompanying him. Sukhbir has never termed Manpreet as his brother since their relations turned sour in 2010. On Monday, when asked to comment on a memorandum handed over by Manpreet to the Governor, the Deputy CM said: “He (Manpreet) is my younger brother and I can’t comment further.” Sukhbir has earlier criticised the PPP chief on several occasions.

Tight security in place

Amid incidents of Akali Dal leaders facing public ire, tight security arrangements were made for the Deputy CM’s visit. Policemen in civvies were deployed in adjoining villages as well. —Sukhbir Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, at a village in Muktsar

Courtesy: The Tribune