The public was kept at bay as Akali supporters surrounded Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during his sangat darshan programme in Mohali on Saturday.

Even a group of municipal councilors and social leaders protested and alleged that they were denied entry from the special gate designated for them. Municipal Councillor Baljeet Kaur and Punjab Dalit Chetna Manch president Shamsher Singh dubbed Badal’s programme as a “chamcha rally”, where he said no word was uttered for the welfare of the downtrodden and the Dalits.

As part of his statewide ‘Vikas Yatra’, the CM disbursed cheques of Rs 8 crore for the development of Mohali, Kharar, Kurali and Nayagaon. While Mohali got Rs 3 crore, Kharar and Kurali were given Rs 2 crore each. Nayagaon received a grant of Rs 1 crore.

Making announcements to woo the public ahead of the parliamentary polls, the CM announced 2,000 flats for the inhabitants of Jagatpura, Amb Sahib and Guru Nanak slum colonies. He directed the GMADA Chief Administrator to work out a sewerage scheme for Mataur village within a month, and frame development schemes for Mataur, Madanpura and Mohali villages.

Other major announcements included sites for religious places in Mohali; review of land acquisition plan in Desumajra and Fatehullapur villages of Kharar for 200-feet-wide road connecting Mohali-Kharar NH-21 with upcoming international airport; 14 acres for District Administrative and Courts Complex in Sector 76; and road to connect Popna village with Mohali-Landran-Fatehgarh Sahib Road.

Though it was supposed to be an open interaction session between the chief minister and the public, only select Akalis could made their way to the dais and present their demands.

“Why were we invited if we were to be kept at bay and not even allowed to submit our memorandums to CM,” questioned Paramjeet Kaur, a young woman jostling with cops to make her way to Badal. She was among hundreds of such dejected people who remained mute spectators to a political rally.

SIDELIGHTS
* “Bade mian to bade mian, chhote mian Subhan Allah.” This was how the CM referred to Punjab Cooperation Bank Chairman Jasjit Singh Bunny.

* Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh listed a number of demands to woo the Ramgarhia community, but the CM did not make a mention of any of them.

* Factionalism in SAD came to the fore once again, with leaders Kiranbir Singh Kang (All India Youth Akali Dal president), Rajbir Singh Padiala and Harsukhinder Singh Bubby Badal conspicuous by their absence.