Oppn lodging vendetta cases against Congress in Punjab: Shakeel Ahmed

Jalalabad: Congress workers in Punjab have complained of “vendetta” cases being lodged against them by the SAD-BJP government and party’s central team would soon visit the state to take stock of the situation, AICC General Secretary Shakeel Ahmed said today. Addressing reporters along with Punjab PCC president Partap Singh Bajwa here, Ahmed claimed that the SAD-BJP government was “misusing police against political rivals”. He claimed that false cases were registered against Congress leaders and workers across the state. [caption id=“attachment_1158293” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Shakeel Ahmed alleged that SAD-BJP combine was lodging cases against Cong. AFP. [/caption] “Political parties are given mandate to bring development and improve public facilities. Harassment of opponents is not a healthy trend in democracy,” he said. Ahmed said no political party can rule forever and balance of power in democracy always lies with the people. Replying to questions, he said law and order is a state subject and it is the duty of the ruling party to ensure the security and safety of the people. He said the UPA government at the Centre was doing its duty of empowering the people by guarantying their rights. He said the Food Security scheme, Right to Information Act, Right to Education, Right to work and development programmes like Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) were some of the flagship programmes of the UPA government. Ahmed said Congress would soon announce the names of its Lok Sabha candidates. He said the list of office bearers of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) would also be announced soon. “Congress is a united house and will sweep the Lok Sabha polls. BJP has no development agenda and no allies to return to power,” he said. Ahmed said the people were fed up of communal forces and looking towards secular and nationalist forces. PTI