Huge turnout at Cong. rally

By Sarabjit Pandher

MALOUT (Muktsar), SEPT. 12. While Punjab seems to be warming to political activity in the run-up to the State Assembly elections, which are due by February next year, the Congress put up an impressive show of strength and flexed its muscles here today, which is considered to be the stronghold of the ruling Akali Dal, especially the Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.

The Congress stalwarts were visibly overwhelmed by the response of the people and the enthusiasm of party workers, which included the deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Madhavrao Scindia, the party treasurer in-charge of Punjab affairs, Mr. Motilal Vora, the former Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. Balram Jhakhar, the chief of the Punjab unit of the Congress, Capt. Amarinder Singh, the former Chief Minister, Ms. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, and Congress parliamentarians and legislators. Party leaders said the attendance at the rally was unprecedented in recent history, especially in this part of the Malwa heartland.

The grain market, where the rally was organised, is just 20 km from Mr. Badal's native village. The speakers, while dwelling upon a wide spectrum of issues, called upon the people to support the party in defeating the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance, to protect the interests of the State and to put an end to the exploitation of all sections of the society. According to a resolution passed on the occasion, the party promised to establish the ``rule of Punjabis'', provide free and quality education, deliverance from debt and eradication of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. The resolution was read out by party leader, Mr. Jagmeet Singh Brar. He said if the party came to power, it would set up a Punjab bureau of investigation on the lines of the CBI to probe corruption charges against political leaders.

People carrying the party flag were pouring in when the last speaker, Mr. Scindia, was addressing the gathering. Earlier, Mr. Motilal Vora said the gathering was the most impressive ever since he assumed charge of the party affairs in Punjab. Both of them said that the enthusiasm of the people clearly indicated that the Congress was heading for a massive victory in the State.

Capt. Amarinder Singh assured that as soon as the party came to power it would proceed against Mr. Badal for the acts of commission and omission. He alleged that the cotton crop in the region had failed repeatedly as the Government was supplying spurious pesticides manufactured in the factories owned by Mr. Badal's relatives.

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