Punjab Election Results: Amarinder Singh gets ecstatic after victory, says will tackle drug menace on priority

With the Congress set to form government in Punjab, state party chief Amarinder Singh on Saturday said tackling drug menace would be a priority even as he attacked SAD for having brought the state “down to its knees”.

In his usual combative style, Amarinder, who turned 75 on Saturday, also took a dig on Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal saying the Delhi Chief Minister was like a “summer storm which had come and gone”.

“Anybody who is found involved in the drug scourge will be dealt as per law, howsoever powerful he may be. I have said within four weeks we will tackle this drugs problem,” Singh, who was the Congress’ chief ministerial face, told a crowded press conference here.

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Incidents of sacrilege in Punjab will be investigated, he said responding to another query.

The drug menace as well as the incidents of sacrilege in various parts of the state were among the major issues in the Punjab assembly polls.

Singh, who was the Punjab Chief Minister from 2002 to 2007, said his party is also committed to providing good governance, besides focusing on health and education, which too will be priorities.

Asked whether Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had joined Congress from the BJP ahead of the polls would be made Deputy Chief Minister, Singh said these decision would be taken by party Vice President Rahul Gandhi as Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is presently abroad.

“We will give our recommendation, but the final decision lies with Rahul ji,” he said.

Hitting out at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership, Amarinder said they have brought the state “down on its knees” and destroyed Punjab.

He also lauded the wisdom of Punjab voters for not choosing AAP saying the it had “no leadership”.

“Arvind Kejriwal is like a summer storm which came and has gone,” Singh said.

Singh also sought cooperation of the Narendra Modi led government. People of Punjab want development, jobs, industry, better education and health. “We hope Union Government will recognise demands of Punjab and assist us,” he said.

A meeting of the Punjab Congress legislature party has been summoned here tomorrow, he said.

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