Overthrow SAD-BJP govt, stop Cong from regaining power: Sanjha Morcha

The newly formed Sanjha Morcha in Punjab, which has PPP (Peoples Party of Punjab), CPI, CPI (M) and SAD (Longowal) as partners, termed the SAD and Congress as "equally corrupt" and stressed on the need for a third front and a new beginning.The morcha released its common minimum programme (CMP) for the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled in February 2012, promising 5 lakh jobs for youths, a powerful Lokayukta to check corruption, providing “atta”, “dal” to the poor at nominal rates besides many other social welfare schemes. CPI M leaders Prakash Karat and Nilotpal Basu, CPI leader AB Bardhan, president of the Akali Dal (Longowal) Surjit Singh Barnala and president of the Peoples’ Party of Punjab Manpreet Singh Badal attended the rally.

Giving a call to overthrow SAD-BJP government and stop Congress from regaining power, the newly-formed Sanjha Morcha on Sunday kick started its election campaign in Dhudike in Moga in the presence of top national leaders of CPI and CPI(M).

The Morcha leaders also launched "Izzat bachao yatra" at martyr Lala Lajpat Rai's birthplace Dhudike on the occasion.

To tackle the problem of unemployment, the morcha promised to bring the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Rozgar Yojana for providing employment to 5 lakh youths. It also assured tax concessions for 15-20 years to encourage setting up of agro-based industries in the state. Filling vacant posts on a regular basis, providing loans on low interest rates to youths to start their own businesses and strengthening the MNREGA scheme would also be on the agenda, the leaders declared.

They said Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedhkar Awaas Yojana would be set up for providing shelter to the weaker sections of society.

A six-member Lokayukta would be set up. The Vigilance Bureau would report to it and not to the Chief Minister, they stated. It would assure complete transparency and accountability of the civil and the police administration.

Bibi Nanki Girl Child Welfare Scheme would also be launched. Under the scheme, Rs 5,000 would be deposited in the account of each girl child for 20 years. The morcha leaders also announced that 25 government colleges, 25 hospitals and 200 schools would be opened during the first year of the morcha coming to power.

The morcha announced a populist measure to provide “atta” and “dal” at the rate of Rs 2 and Rs 3 per kilogram, respectively. They also promised to make Punjab a debt-free state, take scientific steps for sustainable agricultural growth, lower the rates of interest rates on loans for agriculture and allied practices, effectively control smuggling of drugs and bring in a new industrial policy.

CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat said: " What UPA is doing in the Centre, SAD is doing in Punjab, promoting corruption. This government, though never shies away in claiming farmer-friendly, but here in last four and half years 500 farmers have committed suicide and 45 lakh people are unemployed." Karat asked the people to give Sanjha Morcha a chance in the elections.

CPI general secretary AB Bardhan said: " Punjab always had shown the way to the nation and now again opportunity has come with Manpreet Badal for a change."

Bardhan said, if Congress is corrupt from head to toe, BJP is one step ahead and people now has started rising against it as Anna struggle has shown.

Peoples' party of Punjab chief and former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal in his address said: " It is the duty of everyone to uproot corruption and the corrupt regimes and for that we must take vow at this sacred place."

"Manpreet may not live forever but the path shown by martyrs should remain alive. I will keep fighting till my last breath and will never betray people," he said.

Earlier, former Punjab chief minister Surjit Singh Barnala too stressed the need to change the "anti-people SAD government."