Captain Amarinder Challenges Kejriwal, Badal to Debate

By 121 News

Chandigarh 05^th November:- Accusing Arvind Kejriwal of indulging in theatrical gimmickry in order to achieve his dream of becoming Punjab's chief minister, Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday challenged the AAP leader, as well as Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal, to an open, public debate on any issue relevant to the state Assembly elections.

Accusing Arvind Kejriwal of being an escapist and trying to run away from a debate on one pretext or the other, Captain Amarinder said as a chief ministerial aspirant he should have the guts to face him directly, rather than put others in the front. Arvind Kejriwal had earlier named four party leaders to take on Captain Amarinder in a debate, saying he himself did not belong to Punjab.

Captain Amarinder dismissed Arvind Kejriwal's claims that he did not want to become the chief minister of Punjab with a pinch of salt, saying it had become quite evident that the AAP leader's eyes were set on Punjab's top position and he was simply trying to mislead the people of the state by claiming otherwise.

Replying to a question on Arvind Kejriwal's charges of a Congress-BJP nexus, Captain Amarinder pointed out that he had been running around courts for the past 10 years, under the Badal regime. "Does that indicate a nexus," he asked, asserting that he will not spare Badal once he is back in power. Captain Amarinder Singh said that we did it earlier, we will put him in his place again.

To a question on giving martyr's status to Subedar (Retd) Ram Kishen Grewal, whose suicide over the OROP issue had evoked nationwide anger and anguish, Captain Amarinder said that he was totally in favor of the martyrdom status. Captain Amarinder Singh said that he laid down his life for his brethren, so that they could get their rightful dues, and deserves to be treated as martyr.

Captain Amarinder said contrary to the defence ministry's claims, OROP had not been implemented at all, and, in fact, pension had actually been reduced not just for the armed forces but also the paramilitary force under the 7^th Pay Commission.

In a reply to the question about Navjot Singh Sidhu, he said that he had already made his stand on Navjot Singh Sidhu clear, that he has already welcomed him.