Patiala: Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday claimed a wave in the party’s favour would sweep away “traitors” of the Sikh Panth who had joined hands with central agencies to weaken the SAD, along with parties based in Delhi.Addressing a rally in Fatehgarh Sahib during the SAD’s ‘Punjab Bachao’ campaign, Sukhbir urged the people to distinguish between their own party and those working as “stooges” of agencies.Referring to the Waris Punjab De, he alleged its sole aim was to defeat the SAD and that it could do nothing positive for the people or the Panth.Sukhbir said the SAD was committed to development, peace, communal harmony and the philosophy of “sarbat da bhala” propounded by Guru Sahiban. He alleged divisive forces disliked this inclusive governance model and that he had been attacked twice because the Akali Dal stood in the way of attempts to capture Gurughar.The SAD chief also attacked chief minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of sacrilege against Guru Sahiban and a statuette of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale. He also alleged corruption in the CM’s office, claiming postings and transfers were being sold and people accused of rape were being protected for money.Sukhbir criticised the induction of Gurpreet Sekhon into the AAP, describing him as a gangster facing 50 criminal cases.He claimed incidents of sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib began after the AAP entered Punjab politics in 2015 and cited the conviction of former AAP MLA Naresh Yadav in a Malerkotla sacrilege case.Sukhbir said no Akali Dal functionary or worker had been proceeded against in any sacrilege case over the last 10 years. He accused the previous Congress and current AAP govts of raising the issue whenever they faced scrutiny over corruption, suppression of human rights or severe power cuts.Holding Mann responsible for the hardship faced by farmers and domestic consumers, and losses suffered by industry, Sukhbir said the CM had failed to address a power-supply shortfall over the last fortnight.He also criticised Mann for claiming farmers were receiving 10 hours of uninterrupted power supply and for allegedly describing Gulzar Singh’s suicide as a minor incident.Sukhbir said the SAD had prepared an action plan to revive Punjab and appealed to the people to strengthen the regional party.He promised immediate tubewell connections to farmers who lacked the facility if SAD returns to power in 2027. The Akali Dal chief also announced 50kg wheat for beneficiaries under the ‘Aata-Daal’ scheme, increasing the ‘Shagun’ benefit to Rs 1 lakh, and an old-age pension of Rs 3,100 a month.Sukhbir said medical and veterinary colleges would be established at every district headquarters. Youth entrepreneurs would receive interest-free loans of Rs 10 lakh, while animal husbandry farm projects would be given a 75% subsidy.
