Sarpanches invite Bajwa to see Seechewal model on ground

Ahead of the Congress rally at Sultanpur Lodhi tomorrow, over a dozen villages in the Doaba have announced to boycott the party.

Villagers have come in support of environmentalist-cum Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal over the alleged remark of ‘contractor’ made against him in the Vidhan Sabha recently by LoP Partap Bajwa. As Bajwa too is expected to visit the town tomorrow, the sarpanches have extended an invitation to him to come to the ground and witness the work done under the Seechewal model.

The sarpanches have challenged Bajwa to visit the villages of Shahkot to observe the Seechewal model’s work first hand. The sarpanches have also warned Congress MLA Hardeep Singh Laddi that if he fails to clarify the situation, they will protest against him.

The sarpanches have accused Bajwa of deliberately causing damage to the party. They stated that Bajwa’s remarks, calling Seechewal a “contractor" and labelling the Seechewal model as a “failed model", were a low point in political discourse. This model has been recommended by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The arpanches from several villages have warned the Congress leadership that if Bajwa does not apologise for calling Seechewal a “contractor," the villages will boycott the Congress and will not vote for them.

Jogga Singh, Congress sarpanch of Chak Chela, stated that there was anger in the village due to Bajwa’s remarks. He accused Bajwa of having no understanding of ground realities and claimed that his action has already caused a significant harm to the party.

Sarpanches from Gatta Mundi, Gidarpindi, Seechewal, Chak Chela, Kasu, Janiya, Janiya Chahal, Nall Mank, Bhaneval, Sherpur Dona, Talwandi Madho and Wara Jagir shared that Seechewal had been at the forefront of relief efforts during the floods of 2008, 2019, and 2023, when the local communities were saved by his intervention. They recalled that Bajwa had not made any contributions during those times.

Moreover, the panchayat and sarpanch representatives emphasised that Seechewal has always been among the first to respond during flood situations when there is a breach in the Sutlej embankments. Even before the government could act, Seechewal and his team would be on the ground saving lives. They acknowledged his enormous contribution to making Punjab’s villages greener. As a Rajya Sabha member, Seechewal had also contributed a large portion of his discretionary funds toward the development of these villages.

Jalandhar