arkash Singh Badal should ask Avinash Chander to quit on moral ground - Grewal

New Delhi: 31 October 2014 -
BJP Leader from Punjab and National Secretary, BJP Kisan Morcha Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal today urged Punjab Chief Minister Sr. Parkash Singh Badal to ask Chief Parliamentary Secretary Avinash Chander to resign from his post since his name has cropped up in the infamous case related to dismissed Punjab Police DSP and druglord Jagdish Bhola. Talking with the media persons here today, Grewal stated that our Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given a clear indication that high moral standards should be maintained by the elected representatives and people sitting on constitutional posts. He said so it's very clear to everybody that BJP was committed in its fight against drugs in Punjab. He said we feels that Avinash Chander should have resigned on his own by now and if he comes clean after the probe, he can again join the Government as a Chief Parliamentary Secretary. He said it is very clear that the continuation of Avinash Chander as a Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the alliance SAD-BJP Government is definitely having an impact on the image of the alliance Government and raises doubts about the Punjab Government intention to the Act. Grewal said when the Enforcement Directorate has summoned the Chief Parliamentary Secretary it can be easily construed that the Enforcement Directorate leuths might have some basic evidence against him. He cleared it does not bestow a Chief Parliamentary Secretary to appear before the Enforcement Directorate time and again for his links with people involved in drug trade especially when the Government claims to be fighting a war against drugs in Punjab. He said that Punjab is getting a bad name in rest of India and across the world. Grewal said that it would strengthen people's belief and confidence in the Government as it would send a strong message that the government has will to act against anybody in the State. He said that there is no doubt that Punjab Government has fought a war against drugs at all levels and hundreds of people involved in the drug trade have been arrested and Punjab Police have made huge seizures. He said that it is very much clear if the Chief Minister Punjab Sr. Parkash Singh Badal asks Avinash Chander to quit that would add to the credit of the Punjab Government. Grewal said that it is a time that Avinash Chander needs to be asked to put in his papers. He said that BJP had hailed the stand of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal when he had asked Punjab cabinet minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur to quit when the name of his son Damanvir Singh Phillaur had cropped up in the same case. He said that our party BJP has been consistent in its stand against the trade of drugs in Punjab as the party believes that the supply and sale of drugs in the state has dealt a severe blow not only to the youth involved and their families in Punjab.

Birthday celebrations of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel on October 31 - Grewal

New Delhi: 30 October 2014-
National Secretary BJP Kisan Morcha and Prabhari Himachal Pardesh Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal has appealed to all the Indians to participate in 'Run for Unity' on 31st of October as a tribute to 'Loh Purush' Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Talking with the media persons here today, Grewal said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi would himself take to the streets to be a part of 'Run for Unity' as celebrations for Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel's birthday. He told that Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to the Nation to observe the birthday of the great leader 'Loh Purush' Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel as 'Rashtriya Ekta Divas' National Unity Day and has appealed to take part in 'Run for Unity' on that day. Grewal said that as per the programme and on the appeals issued by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and BJP National President Shri Amit Shah, 'Run for Unity' would be organised by people across the country in around 1500 cities. Grewal told that all Union Ministers, National office bearers of the party, senior leaders, Members of Parliament of BJP, State Presidents and other important functionaries of the party would be themselves leading the 'Run for Unity' so as to celebrate it like an 'utsav' as desired by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that the initiative of the Hon'ble Prime Minister will help people realise the crucial role played by 'Loh Purush' Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel in keeping the nation united. Grewal told that the Prime Minister would also be addressing the nation through a radio address on that day. Grewal blamed India's first Prime Minister Pandit Shri Jawahar Lal Nehru for mishandling the Kashmir issue. He said that everyone knows that it was Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel who played a vital role for keeping the nation together. Grewal said that Congress, for its vested interests and to keep the Nehru and Gandhi family in limelight, it's  had been hailing Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru even as he committed blunders. He appealed to the people to come out in large numbers and participate in Run for Unity in order to foster awareness and recognise the monumental contribution made by 'Loh Purush' Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel in all over the world.

Punjab State Government reduce bus fares Immediatley - Grewal

Ludhiana: 29 October 2014 -
Punjab BJP Leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal asked the Punjab State Government to reduce bus fares immediately as the Central Government had slashed diesel prices by Rs 3.37 per litre. In a press statement here today, he said the fares should be decreased as the Punjab State Government, when diesel prices shot up. Grewal stated that it’s a well-known fact amongst masses that Bus Service owned by Chief Minister, Punjab Sr. Prakash Singh Badal and his son and Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab Sr. Sukhbir Singh Badal ply over 300 buses across Punjab itself. Grewal stated that the Deputy Chief Minister Sr. Sukhbir Singh Badal desire to increase profitability of bus companies owned by him. Grewal added that it’s an opportunity for the father and son duo to reduce Bus fares and put RAJ NAHI SEWA slogan in practise especially. Grewal said to reduce the burden on the pockets of over 8.5 lac passengers travelling everyday on Government owned buses itself. He added that the in addition to Government Buses an estimated 5 Lac commuters ply on buses owned by Sr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and other Private Players. He added that the above decision will reiterate RAJ NAHI SEWA slogan given by SAD-BJP alliance before Elections especially when most of the Private Fleet of Buses are owned by companies promoted by Punjab Chief Minister Sr. Prakash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sr. Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Punjab BJP to seek sympathetic, open minded review of Black List of Sikhs - Grewal

Ludhiana: 26 October 2014 -
Punjab BJP Leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal said that the black list of Sikhs should be reviewed sympathetically and with an open mind to apply balm to the festering wounds. Talking with the media persons here today he said that our party is ready to engage with the contentious issues in place of pushing these under the carpet. Grewal said that he will be taking up the issue of Sikh brothers very sympathetic and open minded review of Black List of Sikhs with its central leadership and will pursue the issue further in its attempt to engage with the contentious issues of Punjab and Sikhs. He said that if we address these issues the peace can be long lasting in Punjab, though the atmosphere of the state is stable right now but it starts getting vitiated on small issues with such old and contentious issues remaining unaddressed. Grewal said that we wish to improve the peace and communal harmony a permanent feature of the state while handling these issues in place of running away. He said that It's very clear and well known that it may be mentioned here that it is for the first time that BJP is adapting such pro-active approach on the issue. He told that in the year 2004 during NDA regime Rashtriya Sikh Sangat Leader Sr. Rulda Singh Patiala had been lobbying for it and opened channels with NRI Sikhs also but he was later assassinated. Grewal also stated that our Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a delegation of Sikhs during his US visit and feedback from there was also quite encouraging. He said that our Punjab is a border state and strategically very important for the country and for our party national interests are paramount. While talking towards the other issues, Grewal said that as most of the issues of Punjab were taken up in "Rajiv - Longowal Accord" these should be solved in its light. He reiterated that Chandigarh should be shifted to Punjab as per this accord and other issues should also be solved according those issues. At this time BJP Leader's Rohit Sonakar, Raman Bhalla, Rohit Shelly, Kewal Singh were also present.

Sack Avinash Chander, BJP tells Shiromani Akali Dal

Ludhiana , October 24
More BJP leaders of Punjab have demanded the resignation of Shiromani Akali Dal MLA and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Avinash Chander for allegedly having links with drug smugglers. After state BJP president Kamal Sharma sought the resignation of Chander, Punjab BJP Senior Leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal has approached Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal over the issue. Chugh said the BJP was committed in its fight against drugs in the state and felt that Avinash Chander should have resigned on his own after his name cropped up in the Bhola case. Grewal said that If he is proved innocent after the probe, he can again join the government as a CPS. Avinash Chander’s refusal to resign as the CPS in the SAD-BJP government was hurting the image of the alliance government, said Grewal in a hard-hitting statement. Grewal today stressed the BJP had been consistent in its stand against the illegal drug trade in Punjab. He said our party believed the supply and sale of drugs in the state had dealt a severe blow not only to the youth involved and their families, but also to the economy and culture of the Punjab State.

BJP to ask Punjab Government to step up drive against Drugs - Grewal

Ludhiana: 22 October, 2014 -
Punjab BJP Leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal today said our party would urge the State Government to pass on the benefit to commuters with diesel rates cut, the BJP will ask the Punjab Government to slash bus fares. Describing it as the Diwali Gift from the Narendra Modi Government. Talking with the media persons here today Grewal said his party wanted the drug menace in the state to be eliminated and would ask the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to step up efforts to take on the Drug mafia in the State. He said that our party wants effective police officials to tackle the issue. He said that the campaign against drugs seems to be waning, our party will raise the other issues including Regularising illegal colonies. Grewal told though the decision in this regard was taken long ago, legal formalities are yet to be completed. Our party BJP wants officials to be told that these should be expedited. He said that we wants the process to be completed before the municipal elections. Grewal said that we also wants the decision not to levy VAT on marriage palaces implemented in letter and spirit also, the issue of VAT refund is yet to be sorted out. He said that it is clear that owing to the delay in refund, our party workers had to face angry voters in urban areas. Grewal said that we wants a time bound and transparent refund system in the State.

Shiromani Akali Dal , Badal ( SAD ) must take lessons from Haryana results - Grewal

New Delhi: October 21, 2014
National Secretary BJP Kisan Morcha and Prabhari Himachal Pradesh Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal said that the Shiromani Akali Dal , Badal must take lessons from the poll outcome in Haryana. He said the SAD , Badal should know that its experiment of having a coalition with other parties had failed to bring any harm to Bharatiya Janata Party. Grewal said that BJP has emerged stronger despite their opposition, our alliance partner must understand that it has failed to make any difference in Haryana. Advising to the SAD to re-think it's strategy, Grewal said the SAD claimed that the INLD was its long-term partner. Grewal said but it’s against the coalition Dharma of the NDA. The poll outcome of Haryana is expected to leave strong bearings on ruling alliance of Punjab. Shiromani Akali Dal, Badal leaders proactively campaigned in favour INLD candidates against their Punjab ally BJP candidates during Haryana elections. The assembly election results will make BJP more assertive in Punjab where it has a coalition Government with the Shiromani Akali Dal, Badal. For last few decades the BJP was acting as a junior partner in Punjab but after land sliding victory in Lok Sabha elections, followed by massive success in Haryana and Maharashtra assembly elections, the political out fit seem to be in mood of throwing away the junior partner jacket. The analysts suspect that the BJP may not be interested in triggering break up with immediate effect but it might decide to contest 2017, the state assembly elections alone in Punjab.