Brar doesn’t know ground reality; Cong raising false militancy issues, says Badal

Days after the attack on Lt Gen (retd) K S Brar in London, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday alleged that while the 'Operation Bluestar hero' was not aware of the reality in Punjab, the Congress was making statements to disturb peace and harmony in the state.

Badal, speaking on the issue for first time since the attack on Gen Brar — who had said that SAD support for the Bluestar Memorial could lead to revival of terrorism in state — sought support and co-operation from mediapersons in not raising issues that can disturb peace.

"Brar is issuing statements without having adequate knowledge about the ground realities of the state. How can a person, living within the four walls of his house in a far-flung state, and above all, who has not even visited Punjab for long, comment on the scenario in the state," Badal told mediapersons after addressing the 3rd Bharti Vigyan Sammelan at Lovely Professional University (LPU).

While saying that he was not criticising Gen Brar, the CM said that such statements could create a sense of insecurity and panic among the peace-loving people of Punjab.

Meanwhile, slamming the Congress, Badal said: "Through its statements, Congress has always been trying to create terrorism in the state and disturb communal peace and harmony. Congress has a habit of raking up such issues out of frustration, especially when they are out of power."

"While the party always had a destructive agenda to pursue, we have a constructive approach to ensure overall development of the state and welfare of its people... Before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress wants to gain a votebank by giving statements pertaining to the revival of terrorism," he added.

When asked that the Punjab Police had arrested a number of terrorists (184) in last over five years, Badal evaded a direct reply on this question by saying: "There is no threat of terrorism here."

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