Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal launched a sharp attack on the Punjab government and Aam Aadmi Party leadership, accusing them of misleading farmers on the canal water issue, neglecting flood preparedness, suppressing protesting youth, and interfering in religious institutions for political gains.
Addressing a press interaction, Badal alleged that the AAP government was creating confusion among farmers regarding the ongoing canal water dispute. He claimed that despite the water level in the Bhakra Dam continuously rising, the state government had failed to take timely precautionary measures. Drawing parallels with previous years, he warned that administrative negligence could lead to serious challenges during the monsoon season.
The Akali Dal chief also strongly condemned the alleged police action and treatment of members of the Apprentice Line Man Union, who have been protesting for employment-related demands. Badal said the youth of Punjab deserve justice and opportunities rather than intimidation, adding that the government should engage in dialogue instead of using force against demonstrators.
Targeting AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Badal claimed that the growing support for the Shiromani Akali Dal had created panic within the ruling party. He alleged that the AAP leadership was resorting to diversionary tactics and political confrontations because it was concerned about the Akali Dal’s resurgence in Punjab’s political landscape.
In one of his strongest remarks, Badal accused former Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh of acting in a manner that benefited the AAP government. He alleged that such actions were harming the dignity and independence of Akal Takht, an institution revered by Sikhs worldwide. His comments are likely to further intensify the ongoing debate over the relationship between politics and religious institutions in Punjab.
Badal also issued a direct warning to the state government, accusing it of using religion as a tool for political purposes. He challenged the government to take action against him personally rather than, in his words, attempting to influence religious matters for political advantage. “I am not afraid of you in the slightest,” he declared, while urging the government to stop what he described as “dirty tactics” and focus instead on governance and public welfare.
The remarks reflect the increasingly confrontational political atmosphere in Punjab, where issues relating to farmers, unemployment, water management, governance, and the role of religious institutions continue to dominate public discourse. With political temperatures rising ahead of future electoral battles, exchanges between the Shiromani Akali Dal and the AAP government are expected to become even more intense in the coming months