BATHINDA/CHANDIGARH: An exhortation to voters by Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi to keep out “all the UP, Bihar and Delhi de bhaiye”, uttered to claps of approval from “Punjaban” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Wednesday led his political rivals to slam the poll pitch as being inherently divisive and an insult to the state's migrant population.
In a video clip of Channi’s speech at Ropar on Tuesday that has since gone viral, he is heard saying in Punjabi, “Priyanka Gandhi is the daughter-in-law of Punjab, she is of Punjab. All Punjabis must get together to oust those from UP, Bihar and Delhi who come here to rule”.
Reservation of jobs for natives is already an emotive poll issue, with Congress batting for a 100% quota and BJP's manifesto promising 75% local reservation in state government vacancies and 50% in the private sector.
