Sukhbir promises free power to farmers

Tribune News Service

Ambala, February 9

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday sounded the poll bugle of his party in Haryana by urging Sikhs to unite under the banner of his party.

Addressing a rally here, he kept his focus on the schemes his government had started in Punjab for the welfare of farmers and the poor. He promised to provide free power to Haryana farmers on the pattern of Punjab if voted to power.

“Communities that remain united are stronger. Sikhs are only 2 per cent of the population, but we have more representatives than Muslims in Parliament because they are divided. Sikhs can decide the fate of 40 legislators in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Haryana,” he said.

He called upon party workers to launch door-to-door campaigns. He refrained from making any critical comment on the state and Central governments, where SAD ally BJP was in power. His wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal is a Union Minister.

“Parties are getting divided in Haryana and the time has come to unite power of the Panth. When Bhajan Lal or Bansi Lal were in power, the police used to come to your deras,” Sukhbir said.

Accusing the Congress of being the biggest enemy of Sikhs, he said the SAD had fought for justice to the 1984 riot victims. “Sajjan Kumar was incarcerated for life because of our efforts and Jagdish Tytler would meet the same fate,” he said.