Patiala: SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday kept up his attack on CM Bhagwant Mann over allegations that his wife sought Rs 5 crore from a rape accused.Addressing a gathering at Bassi Pathana as part of the SAD’s ‘Punjab Bachao’ campaign, Badal said the SAD would seek action against those involved in the episode.Badal also questioned Waris Punjab De’s silence on the issue and alleged that the organisation was aligned with Mann.He questioned the credentials of jailed Waris Punjab De chief and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, claiming that he adopted the Gursikh identity four years ago to enter politics and that his family had supported Congress for more than 36 years.Badal also claimed that the family had opposed Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra’s candidature.He further alleged that Mann had sent Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali to strengthen Waris Punjab De and divide Panthic votes. Badal urged Punjabis to strengthen the SAD, alleging that central agencies and national parties were seeking to weaken the Akali Dal.He claimed such forces had taken over the management of Sri Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib and created a separate gurdwara committee in Haryana.Badal also accused Mann of disrespecting Guru Sahiban and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He claimed forensic laboratories had found the related video genuine and that Sikh organisations had declared Mann “Guru Dokhi”.SAD’s 2027 promisesBadal announced that if voted to power in 2027, the SAD would tackle river pollution and flooding, provide tubewell connections to farmers, grant ownership rights to eligible landholders and Lal Dora residents, raise the ‘Shagun’ benefit to Rs 1 lakh and increase the old-age pension to Rs 3,100.He also promised 50 kg of wheat to beneficiaries of the ‘Atta-Daal’ scheme, Rs 10 lakh in interest-free loans for youth, reservation of govt jobs for Punjabis, 75% local employment in industry and minimum support prices for milk and vegetables.
