Ludhiana: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday appealed to Punjabis to “beware” of Waris Punjab De (WPD) and its functionary Manpreet Singh Ayali, alleging that they had teamed up with chief minister Bhagwant Mann to divide the Panthic vote and benefit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).The SAD president was addressing the party’s political conference at Chhapar Mela in Dakha constituency.Sukhbir alleged that the “understanding” was evident from AAP not holding a political conference at the mela and instead diverting its supporters to the WPD gathering.Badal said it was the SAD that launched a “morcha” against the land pooling scheme, forcing the govt to withdraw its notification to acquire 35,000 acres in Ludhiana district. He said the SAD would initiate proceedings against Ayali if it returned to power and hold him accountable for his alleged “illegal acts”.The SAD president further alleged that Ayali had been given a “free rein” in Ludhiana and that police had been directed to follow his “dictates”. He accused Ayali of using police influence to get his candidates elected to block samitis and zila parishads.Demanding an independent probe into what he described as a “multi-thousand-crore illegal sand mining scam” in Punjab, Badal claimed it was of the same magnitude as the alleged “Rs 10,000-crore GMADA scam” being probed by the Enforcement Directorate.Outlining his party’s plans for Punjab, Sukhbir said the SAD was committed to filling three lakh vacant govt posts within a year of coming to power. He said the AAP govt’s law allowing jobs to outsiders would be reversed and govt jobs reserved for Punjabis. Industries seeking incentives for investment in the state would be required to provide 75% of their jobs to Punjabis, he added.Sukhbir also promised interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh to youth to help them start businesses.He announced that assistance under the Shagun scheme would be increased to Rs 1 lakh and the old-age pension raised to Rs 3,100 per month. He also promised 50kg of wheat to beneficiaries under the “atta-dal” scheme and tubewell connections to all farmers who currently do not have one.
