CHANDIGARH: The Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, has accused the Akali-BJP government led by Chief Minister

Parkash Singh Badal of going back on its promises. She has warned of serious political repercussions in case the victimisation of Congress workers across

the State is not stopped immediately.

Talking to reporters, Ms. Bhattal said while the Congress had adequately reciprocated to the offer for co-operation by the Chief Minister, the three weeks old Government had unleashed vendetta through vindictive actions including registration of false cases against Congress workers. To support her charge, she specifically mentioned forcible eviction of Congress-supported office bearers from various truck unions across the State.

Ms. Bhattal said Mr. Badal was backtracking on his electoral promise of providing "atta and daal" (flour and pulses) at subsidised rates. She said while the Akali Dal during the elections had promised to provide these articles to the entire State, after forming the government it had begun to shirk away by limiting it to some sections only.

"The Government is now planning to postpone the launching of this abridged version of the scheme, which had earlier been scheduled for Baisakhi Day," she pointed out.

Accusing Mr. Badal of adopting double standards, Ms. Bhattal asked him to explain to the people the reasons for appointing three Chief Parliamentary Secretaries when the Akali Dal had petitioned against such appointments made by the previous Government. She also drew the attention of the people towards the present Government's proposal to introduce the quotient of "interview" in the appointment of school teachers. Ms. Bhattal said that during the debate on the motion of thanks for the Governor's Address to the State Assembly , the Congress would press for a resolution to thank the Centre for announcing an bonus of Rs. 100 on procurement of wheat.

Responding to questions, Ms. Bhattal refused to accept that the former CM Amarinder Singh had "fled the country fearing investigation into deeds of omission and commission".

She said Capt. Singh had duly informed the party leadership about his travel, which had been necessitated by health reasons.

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