Amarinder said the Badal family was “looting” the state exchequer and had triggered the worst-ever political vendetta against Congress workers, for which they would be given a befitting reply.

“We have made a list of workers who have been beaten up, implicated and murdered by Akalis,” he said. He also issued a warning to the police officials and bureaucrats “playing a partisan role”.

Claiming to bag all the 13 Lok Sabha seats, the former CM said anti-incumbency factor was strong against the Badal regime. “Power cuts in the state have made life miserable. The investment is not coming and the industry is shifting base because of long power cuts,” he said, adding that the state government has no vision to address the recession-like financial situation staring in the face.

“With seven members in the state Cabinet from the Badal family, the government is not looking beyond the interests of this powerful household,” he said.

Kaypee and Bhattal also flayed the Badal government. “I sometimes wonder if the government machinery is blind. Can’t it see the miseries of the people?” asked Kaypee.

Meanwhile, the local leaders belonging to various groups within the party were present, save former MLA Raj Kumar and former mayor Sunil Datti.

Congress MLA Om Parkash Soni, who is emerging as the frontrunner for the Lok Sabha ticket, organised this major show of strength to reinforce his claim.

Former ministers, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sardul Singh, MLAs, Sukhbinder Sarkaria, Jeet Mohinder Singh, former MLAs, Jasbir Singh Dimpa, Ashwani Shekhari, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Prof Darbari Lal, Harpartap Ajnala, and leaders, SJS Lally Majithia and Harminder Gill, were present in the rally.

Capt also alleged that former minister and Sukhbir’s brother-in-law Bikram Majithia was trying to monopolise the riverbed sand and liquor contracts, apart from controlling the cable network in the state. He said the government lands were being sold to generate funds for Vikas Yatra.

Kin of Akali stalwart

join Congress

The Congress got a shot in the arm today with family members of late Akali stalwart Parkash Singh Majithia joining the party. Majithia’s son Simmarjit Singh and grandson Gurteshwar Singh were welcomed by Kaypee, Capt and Bhattal into the Congress. Gurjatinder Pal Singh Bhikhwind, Sukhpal Singh from SAD (Panch Pardhani) also joined the Congress, giving the party strength in Majitha and Valtoha assembly constituencies, respectively.

Vendetta dossier

Capt Amarinder Singh said they were preparing a dossier on political vendetta, which would include hundreds of FIRs against their workers and deaths up to 100, and submit it before the Election Commission of India to seek deployment of paramilitary forces during Lok Sabha polls.

Ticket distribution