Chandigarh, February 25: The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann criticized the Congress leaders. He especially targeted the Leader of opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, for making baseless statements. Mann said on Tuesday that the Congress should focus on keeping its flock together. He advised them against daydreaming about getting support from MLAs of the ruling AAP.

AAP MLAs Not Switching Sides

The Chief Minister criticized the opposition while speaking on the floor of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. He slammed its leaders for making castles in the air. They claimed that a few MLAs of the ruling party are in their contact and will switch soon. He said that these power mad politicians neither have contact with their own cadres nor with masses due to which they were ousted by the people of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders issue irrational statements unabatedly. They have never raised the issue of Punjab before the Union government. He added that the rhetoric about AAP MLAs being in touch with them is Bajwa’s gimmick to hog media limelight.

MLAs : Congress Leaders Rejected by People

The Chief Minister stated that the Congress Chief Ministers were the most inaccessible leaders. They were also corrupt and inefficient. Due to these reasons, the people rejected them. He said that people of the state saw their previous Chief Minister only on a few occasions, as the indulgent leader remained either occupied with personal matters or confined to his palace chair. Bhagwant Singh Mann challenged the Congress leaders to stop worrying about AAP MLAs. He advised them to keep their flock together. Even their seven MLAs in the current assembly cannot assemble and work together.

Pro-People Initiatives by AAP Government

Listing the pro-people initiatives, the Chief Minister said that the state government has provided more than 51,000 jobs to the youth purely on merit.He said that the state government has taken several path breaking initiatives for the well being of the common man. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that till now 18 Toll plazas have been closed in the state. He added that with the closing of these toll plazas, Rs 63 lakh is saved daily. This amount is from the pocket of the common man in Punjab.

Efforts to Improve Agriculture and Infrastructure

The Chief Minister said that the state government is making strenuous efforts. They aim to use the canal water for irrigation purposes. This will help save the groundwater. He said that revolutionary changes are in the pipeline to implement and improve MGNREGA scheme in the larger interest of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is laying major thrust on the development of health, education, power, employment and infrastructure development sectors.

Zero Tolerance Against Drugs

The Chief Minister further said that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the scourge of drugs . He further said that authorities are dealing with drug smugglers with a heavy hand and not sparing those involved in this crime. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the war against drugs is transforming into a mass movement with proactive public support and cooperation.