Launching into a blistering attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Punjab chief minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday accused it of seeking votes in the name of “protecting panthic interests” while consistently “failing” to address Punjab-specific issues in Parliament.
Speaking on the occasion of Rakhar Punia festival at Baba Bakala in Amritsar district, Mann pointed out that even when the SAD claimed to be a panthic and pro-Punjab party, it had never raised issues related to Punjab in Parliament.
The Punjab CM recalled his 2018 appeal to then Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan to honour the Sahibzadas on their martyrdom day, which he said had led to a historic tribute. The CM also condemned the SAD for allegedly “failing to make similar efforts” despite their panthic claims.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asking the saffron party that governs the country, to reflect on its governance in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, “where curfews had to be imposed during varisous religious festivals”.
At the same time, he pointed out the alleged worsening law and order situation, specifically mentioning the recent curfew in Nuh district of Haryana.
Taking aim at the opposition leaders such as senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa and BJP state chief Sunil Jakhar, he spoke of their “political decline” following a significant defeat in the Jalandhar West byelection.
He said that the people of Punjab had sent a clear message that politics should not be driven by “nepotism” and only those who genuinely advocate for the common people can attain power.
