Sukhbir denies conflict, says ties with BJP intact

LONGOWAL (SANGRUR): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today tried to downplay the conflict between his party leaders with the alliance partner BJP over the membership drive, claiming that there was no problem or misunderstanding of any kind.

SAD chief Sukhbir Badal being felicitated in Sangrur. Tribune photo

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Longowal (Sangrur), August 20

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today tried to downplay the conflict between his party leaders with the alliance partner BJP over the membership drive, claiming that there was no problem or misunderstanding of any kind.

Sukhbir was in Longowal to commemorate the martyrdom day of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.

“I do not want to get into it, but there is no conflict between the SAD and the BJP and there won’t be any in future also. We are conducting our membership drive as was done in the past,” he said, when asked about the statement of state BJP president Shwait Malik on seeking a bigger seat share in 2022.

During his address, the SAD chief stressed on the need to increase party’s membership and even announced that in future, all party appointments would dependent on the participation of the leaders in membership drives.

“I want to make it clear that in future, none would be appointed on any position on recommendations. And the leaders who actively conduct membership drives will get prominence,” he announced.

He said the party was set to enrol 50-55 lakh members in its ongoing campaign, which would continue till August 31. He said those who enrol 100 members would be treated as circle delegates and would be responsible for choosing the district delegates. He said the district delegates in turn would choose the district president. “I urge the workers to pay real tributes to Sant Longowal and his ideals by enrolling maximum number of members,” Sukhbir stressed.

Cong wraps up event in few minutes

Though it was state-level event and area residents expected it to be an elaborate one, the Congress government’s function to commemorate the martyrdom day of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, concluded in a short time
“The Punjab Government has insulted Sant ji by concluding the function within a few minutes,” alleged Gurmale Singh, a Longowal resident. Cabinet minister Sadhu Singh Dharmsot paid tributes to the veteran Akali leader and said the Congress had always respected martyrs