Amarinder Singh to lead Congress in 2022 Punjab polls: Party

While participating in the event for the launch of various developmental projects worth Rs 1087 crore by the Chief Minister, under the Smart City and AMRUT schemes, Jakhar said, “the Congress party’s sweeping victory in the civic polls has not only revalidated Capt Amarinder’s leadership in the state but was an endorsement of the faith of Punjabis in his future leadership also”.

He said the state Congress had already launched mission “#Captainfor2022”, and the next elections would be fought under his leadership.

Lauding the Chief Minister, he said Capt Amarinder had led the state in tought times and the people were well aware of his massive contribution.

“Punjab is perhaps facing its worst ever crisis – Covid, farmers’ unrest due to the black farm laws, coupled with an unfriendly union government – and only Capt Amarinder Singh had the vision and leadership qualities to steer the state out of it,” he said.

Lambasting the union government for its step-motherly treatment of Punjab, Jakhar said the Centre had resorted to all kinds of measures, including economic blockade, to punish the state for supporting the farmers’ agitation.

He said the federal structure of the country was under extreme threat under the BJP led national government. He also questioned the recent decision of the union government to refuse permission to a jatha to go to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan and accused the Centre of being biased against the state.

While complimenting the Chief Minister for launching projects aimed at the development of urban areas, the PPCC chief said there had been a growing though incorrect perception that this government was only working for the rural areas.

He said though Punjab is an agrarian economy, the massive development works that have started in the urban areas would dispel this perception.

Jakhar also urged the Chief Minister to ensure that the Congress manifesto for 2022 should promise-making Amritsar – the ‘Guru ki Nagri’ - an iconic city. “Amritsar should be made as one of the best cities in the World on the lines of the Vatican”, he said.

Punjab Youth Congress President Barinder Singh Dhillon termed the inauguration of these projects as a grand start after the victory in the MC elections. He said the landslide victory reflects the enormous faith the people of Punjab have in the leadership of the Chief Minister.

He said only Capt Amarinder Singh can take the state forward and maintain social and communal harmony. "You will have to contest the 2022 Vidhan Sabha election as Punjab needs your stewardship", said Barinder Singh Dhillon.