CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi and anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare will be visiting Punjab on March 23. Both will be paying homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his martyrdom day. Modi will visit Hussainiwala (Firozpur) whereas Anna will visit Khatkar Klan, birth place of Bhagat Singh.
Information about the Modi’s visit was disclosed by Punjab chief minster Parkash Badal in state assembly. Modi will also visit Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar on return way. It may be recalled that it will be Modi ‘s first visit to Sri Darbar Sahib after taking oath as Prime Minister. With the visit of two big personalities, Punjab is set to witness sharp political barbs.
Taking credit for the PM’s visit, Akali MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said he had invited Modi to Punjab when they had met in Parliament. “I will request the PM to flag off a train between Anandpur Sahib and Amritsar during his visit. I will also request the Railway Ministry to synchronise the train’s flagging off with the PM’s visit,” he said.
Hazare, who had announced a “pad yatra” against the Land Acquisition Bill and asked all parties to oppose the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, would launch a country wide farmers’ agitation against the Modi government from Khanna on March 24. “If there is united opposition by parties within Parliament and by people from outside, a lot of work can be done,” he had said. Hazare had announced to set off on his “pad yatra” on March 25, but has postponed it following representations from farmers that the schedule clashed with their field work.
