Cong to burn 'Chitta Ravana' during Modi's Ludhiana visit

Congress in Punjab will burn an effigy of 'Chitta Ravan' in Ludhiana to draw Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attention to the drug menace in the state during his visit to the industrial city on October 18.

Modi will address industrialists at an event in the city on October 18. Chitta means drugs in colloquial language. "As soon as Modi starts speaking, the 'Chitta Ravan' will go up in flames," Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh told media persons in Ludhiana.

"I will personally set fire to the Chitta Ravan. Let them try and stop me if they can...I want to show the Prime Minister what kind of goondas he is supporting," he said.

"Let Modi also get a taste of how Punjab is burning under the Akali rule," the former Punjab Chief Minister said, launching a frontal attack on the state government on the issue of drug menace.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Ludhiana on October 18 to attend a function being organised by the MSME Ministry where he will give away national awards to outstanding micro, small and medium enterprises.

Launching the party's "war against drugs" from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's home turf, the PPCC president had yesterday announced that Congress leaders and workers would "blast" the 'Chitta Ravana' in all the 117 Assembly constituencies in the state.

Describing the 'Chitta Ravana' as a "demonic symbol" of the Badal government's "evil dispensation", Amarinder said his party would fight the drug menace in the state till it's completely wiped out.

Early in the day, AICC Secretary Harish Chaudhary told reporters in Chandigarh, "The Pradesh Congress Committee has decided to burn the 'Chitta Ravan' in Ludhiana on October 18 when PM will visit the city. It will be a symbolic event."

"Congress is committed to eliminating the drug menace from Punjab," he said. Congress spokesperson and former Legislative Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar tweeted: "PM to face 'Chitta' truth of Punjab drug menace. Congress to burn 'Chitta-Ravan' during PM Modi's visit to Ludhiana on 18th Oct."