SAD-BSP combine will change course of politics, says Parkash Singh Badal

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Kili Chahal (Moga), December 14

Former Chief Minister and SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday said the Akalis would bounce back in the upcoming Assembly elections and form the next government in the state.

Talking to The Tribune, he claimed: “The SAD-BSP is a holy alliance that will change the course of politics in the state. The BSP enjoys mass following in all the Assembly segments which will help the alliance come to power.”

Leaves audience guessing on fighting polls

I am a servant of the Shiromani Akali Dal. I have served the party my entire life and will continue to do so as per its order. Parkash Singh Badal, SAD patron

The 95-year old SAD veteran made his public appearance after a gap of five years during the party’s centenary celebrations at Kili Chahal village in Moga today. Addressing the gathering, the former CM said: “Mai party da sevak ha, poori jindagi isdi seva kiti hai, agge vi jo hukam hovega seva nibhavanga,” he said, keeping the audience guessing whether he would contest the elections as the party’s CM face or not.

Reminiscing the SAD’s past rallies in Moga, he said in 1996, when the party celebrated its 75 years of inception on this soil, Akalis forged an alliance with the BSP and bounced back. The SAD won eight Lok Sabha seats while BSP three. It also came to power in 1997 in the state, he said.

Urging people to vote intelligently, Badal said: “The upcoming elections are vital for the future of Punjab, particularly, the coming generations. We are fighting a battle against three governments — one is at the Centre, another in the state and the third one is of Delhi.”

He said the Congress, BJP and AAP were being controlled by leaders living in Delhi who have no affection for Punjab and its people. The Congress attacked the Golden Temple and was also responsible for the 1984 riots. The BJP brought ‘black laws’ on agriculture. The AAP, too, has no vision for the state.

“Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned from the Union Cabinet against the black laws. Both Harsimrat and Sukhbir voted against the three farm Bills. Therefore, we are the only one who care for Punjab and its people”, he said.

The SAD patron also lashed out at the BJP for trying to take control over religious institutions without making a direct reference to the issue of the Delhi Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee elections.