Will form force to check Cong ‘repression’: SAD

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 10

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal today declared that his party “fully accepts the challenge of a repressive Congress government on the denial of democratic rights for raising our voice in favour of the beleaguered Punjabis who are feeling cheated by it”.

Talking to mediapersons after a meeting of the SAD Core Committee, Sukhbir alleged: “The government is trying to suppress democratic opposition and distract attention from their betrayal of the Punjabis on tall promises made to them. I dare this government to arrest me instead of acting against ordinary Akali workers.”

Sukhbir said the party would set up a “Force for Democracy” with a minimum of 10 volunteers from every village, a total of 1,20,000 workers in the state, who would work as vigilantes against the Congress repression.

On inconvenience to commuters during the Akali dharnas, Sukhbir said: “I sincerely apologise to students, women, children or sick and elderly people who had to face inconvenience. But I also request them to understand that the dharnas were not about Akalis but the rights of the common man to elect civic bodies of their own choice for the development in their areas. How can the people elect representatives if the Congress was denying others a chance to contest?” he said.

Earlier, a resolution passed at the meeting, chaired by former CM Parkash Singh Badal, congratulated the party president on the “success” of the dharnas and for “delivering a setback to the Congress government”.

Sukhbir issued a warning to the officers “who have discarded their uniform to earn Congress loyalty. I warn these officials to mend their ways. We are keeping a close watch on each of them.”

Will complain to rights panel: Former Deputy CM

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said he would lead a delegation of party MPs to meet the National Human Rights Commission on the matter. “We will give them complaints against politicians and officers along with evidence,” he said. A delegation of senior leaders will also meet the state Governor. Sukhbir said the SAD would also file a petition in the court.

Capt, Sukhbir spar on Twitter

A Twitter war broke out between Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and SAD president Sukbhir Singh Badal over the sharp reaction of the Akalis against the registration of cases against them by the government.  

Shocked at @officeofssbadal reaction to registration of cases against @Akali_Dal_ dharnas that caused immense inconvenience to people. Does he not know it’s against the law to block national highways? Or does he simply not care for the law?  

Amarinder is not letting people file nominations is murder of democracy akin to what the Congress did in Emergency. SAD will expose you.