Bring SAD back to power, Sukhbir Badal appeals to people

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday made a fervent appeal to people to bring his party back to power and urged all deserters to return to the outfit to make Punjab a leading state and strengthen the Sikh Panth.

“I appeal to the people of Punjab to bring the SAD back to power. We will make Punjab No. 1 and if we failed to do so, I promise I would not contest any poll in my lifetime,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a political conference held by his party here on the occasion of Baisakhi.

The SAD chief also made a slew of promises while addressing the gathering, including jobs for “Punjabis only” and prohibiting residents of other states from purchasing agriculture land in Punjab, if voted to power in the 2027 Assembly poll.

The event was dubbed as a “show of strength” by the SAD, a day after Sukhbir returned as the party chief following a five-month gap.

He had quit as the SAD president in November last year, just weeks before he was awarded a religious punishment by the Akal Takht for “mistakes” committed by the SAD during its decade-long rule from 2007-17 over issues concerning the community.

The party has been struggling to make a comeback in the state after its ouster from power in 2017, followed by a series of setbacks in subsequent elections.

In the biggest challenge for the SAD in recent times, the Akal Takht through a decree on December 2 had ordered it to accept Sukhbir’s resignation and restructure the organisation by launching a fresh membership drive.

While the party accepted Sukhbir’s resignation, it had rejected a Takht-constituted panel that was tasked with launching a membership drive for the SAD.

The SAD had launched its own membership drive, which was followed by organisational polls on Saturday, where Sukhbir was elected as the president.

On Sunday, Sukhbir came to the venue of the political conference while leading a road show.

‘Jobs to Punjabis only’

Addressing the gathering, he said on returning to power, his party’s government will end the drug menace and check activities of gangsters while assuring government jobs to the “Punjabis only”.

“I am also committed to improving social welfare schemes and giving relief to weaker sections. I am also committed to safeguarding the interests of Punjabis. The SAD will reintroduce the ‘aata-daal’ scheme, besides doubling the amount given in old-age pension and Shagun schemes,” he said.

He promised that on returning to power, his party’s government will bring a law “banning outsiders from purchasing agricultural land in Punjab”.

Badal also made a fervent appeal for unity in the Sikh Panth.

“All Akalis should come back to the party fold in the interest of Punjab, Punjabiat and the Khalsa Panth. The time has come to save Punjab from the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, which have always looted it,” he said attacking the rival parties.

The SAD president alleged that conspiracies are being hatched to damage the party and erode the credibility of Sikh institutions.

He said management boards of both Sri Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib have been expanded to bring them under government control.

He also slammed the AAP government for “betraying Punjabis”. “Where is the Rs 1100 per month promise for women, Rs 2,500 pension scheme, and promises to lift all 22 crops on MSP?” he said.

‘Nothing left for SAD’

Meanwhile, taking a jibe at Sukhbir Badal’s appeal to people, state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the SAD has lost its ground in Punjab. “Earlier, he (Sukhbir) had dreamt of ruling for 25 years. Those days are gone, they have nothing left now,” Warring said.