CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday said the party will move the court over the demonetisation related deaths, even as he extended his full support to the proposed strike by the industries over the issue on December 16.
Amarinder said with 86 per cent of the currency pulled out of the market, the economy was collapsing under the weight of the demonetisation , across the country, including Punjab. Around 100 people had died standing in queues while thousands were otherwise suffering as a result of the cash crunch, he said, adding that the Punjab Congress would approach the court over the issue.
Extending his support to the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), Ludhiana, Amarinder said the impact of demonetisation on the State’s industries, already in the doldrums because of the Badal government’s antagonistic policies, had been devastating.
Amarinder said the Modi government’s ill-planned demonetisation move was virtually a criminal act, which had not only brought many lives to a tragic end but had rendered thousands of contractual employees and labourers in industries, jobless.
In the past one month, thousands of workers in the industries had been laid off and even those who were still on the rolls had not been paid their salaries, Amarinder pointed out, adding that the situation was critical as even those few units that had not fled the Badal government’s anti-industry were now closing down as a result of the cascading effect of demonetisation.
Amarinder denied any undue delay in declaration of party candidates for the upcoming assembly elections, saying the Congress was a large party that needed to go through systems and processes to ensure proper ticket allocation. He said the delay in announcement would not impact the campaigning by the Congress candidates, who would get ample time to engage in electioneering. Unlike the Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party, which are both one-member/one-family parties, the Congress is a well-structured organisation that works on principles and processes, he said.
On speculation surrounding ticket allocation for senior party leader Manish Tiwari, Amarinder said the decision vested with the Indian National Congress president and would be announced at a suitable time. On Navjot Singh Sidhu’s plans in the Punjab Congress, Amarinder said he was yet to announce his decision, which the party had left to him.
Amarinder said, in response to another question, that both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi may come to campaign for the Congress in Punjab and he would also request Priyanka Gandhi to help with the campaign.
Meanwhile Punjab Congress digital initiative – Captain Smart Connect - closed its second phase on Saturday with 30 lakh registrations.