Manpreet goes on state tour to vindicate self

Lily

B.R
Staff member
Chandigarh November 4:

Former Finance Minister of Punjab Manpreet Singh Badal is not ready to give up his political battle against none but his cousin Shiromani Akali Dal president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on his own home turf. Manpreet has undertaken a 13-day long State-wide tour, during which he is leaving no stone unturned to justify his stand on fiscal reforms. Punjab would now witness politics of principle and not of power.

The itinerary of Manpreet's back-to-back public meetings was released by his office, shows his continuous programme across the State from November 1-13, leaving three days — November 5-7 — for Diwali celebrations. Last month, he was unceremoniously sacked from SAD and later from the Government after he took a contrary stand on the issue of accepting Rs 35,000 crore debt waivers offered by the Centre. "Till November 13, Manpreet will address public meetings continuously at various places. As people will be busy during Diwali celebrations, three days have been relaxed as lot of people will not be able to attend the meetings," a close-aide of Manpreet Badal told reporters.

Manpreet has addressed a series of public meetings at Zira, Mukatsar, Bathinda, Bhucho Mandi, Talwandi Sabo, Mour, Mansa, Dirbha, Rajpura, Patiala, Patran, Sangrur and Barnala. He is visiting Nawanshahar district on November 4. The response to his meetings has been encouraging. After three days break and Diwali celebrations, Manpreet will come face-to-face with the people at Gurdaspur, Batala and Pathankot on November 8; Ropar and Mohali on November 9; Amritsar and Taran Tarn on November 10 and Kapurthala and again Amritsar on November 11.

Interestingly, Manpreet is gaining huge support from one and all, even from the political quarters unexpectedly. "Despite pressure by the state government, a large number of people on the contrary are coming to support Manpreet in the betterment of the future of the State," said Manpreet's close-aide, who is still officially associated with the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and did not wish to be identified. He added: "The main purpose is to sensitise people towards Manpreet, encourage them to support him. Let know the people of the State about the thought of Manpreet for making a better and debt-free Punjab."

Manpreet's another supporter said: "We are trying to gather as much support as we can. And in this way, we are able to judge the thinking process of the people. Obviously, the response from the meetings and people's reaction is going to affect Manpreet's decision he said to announce on November 14." Manpreet on October 21 had declared to announce his future action plan on November 14 after taking direction from the Golden Temple at Amritsar. He said that all his supporters would reach Amritsar that day and after paying obeisance at Golden Temple and Durgiana Temple, he will pay tributes to Jallianwala martyrs. He said that he would also seek pardon for any mistake he might have made while in the Government.

 
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