PATIALA, February 18: Tens of thousands of people from Patiala today joined the route-march (pad-yatra) taken out by former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in his home constituency here today.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also joined Capt Amarinder during the march. Besides, Capt Amarinder’s wife and Patiala MP Ms Preneet Kaur, Rohtak MP Arvind Sharma and veteran film actor Puneet Issar (Duryodan of Mahabharat television serial) and several others also accompanied him during the route march.
Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the route-march, Rajnath Singh said, he had specially travelled form Uttar Pradesh to join Capt Amarinder today. He said, whole nation loved and respected Capt Amarinde’s patriotism and nationalism.
The Defence Minister specially mentioned that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had special respect for Capt Amarinder. Appealing to the people to elect him with a large majority, the Defence Minister assured, with Prime Minister Modi’s support Punjab will make huge progress under his (Capt Amarinder’s) leadership.
He lashed out at the Congress saying it had failed the country and that is the reason someone of the stature of Capt Amarinder had to leave the party and join hands with the BJP. He said, together with Capt Amarinder, the BJP will ensure all round progress of Punjab. He said, it will be in the interest of the security of Punjab as well as the nation.
Capt Amarinder expressed his profound gratitude to people of Patiala for coming out of their homes, shops and other business establishments to join his route march. He said he was touched and overwhelmed by the love they have always showered at him.
“I could see each and every face that showed great affection and warmth to me today”, he said, while adding, “People of Patiala will always have a special place in my heart as they all belong to my extended family”. While thanking them for joining today’s route-march, he urged them to ensure that on February 20, they come out of their homes in the same numbers to cast their votes also.
He said, this was a golden chance for people of Punjab in general and Patiala in particular to elect a government in the state, which will have a good equation with the central government. He said Punjab will progress by leaps and bounds once the NDA government comprising the BJP, PLC and SAD-S is formed in the state.
Talking to reporters in the course of his route-march, Capt Amarinder expressed utmost disgust for Charanjit Singh Channi’s remarks about people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He said, this was unbecoming of a Chief Minister to use such xenophobic remarks against people from our neighbouring states, who have made immense contribution towards the development of Punjab.
As Capt Amarinder’s caravan moved in different parts of the city, he was showered with flowers. People had set up food and tea stalls along the route. As the caravan moved, the number of people kept on increasing. It was a tough task for the police to manage the crowds. Capt Amarinder thanked the police personnel for the duties they performed during the route-march.
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