Patting his deputy son Sukhbir Badal’s back, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday maintained that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president has “proved his mettle”.
“Sukhbir has efficaciously proved his mettle by passing every litmus test as head of the party,” said Badal while interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of third and concluding day of Sangat Darshan program in Qadian assembly segment.
He said: “The most difficult test for any political leader, as the head of a party, is the performance of his party in elections. By ensuring the second consecutive win of SAD in the state assembly elections, besides successfully leading the party to thumping victory in Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections and by-elections held in the state, Sukhbir has proved his ability as party chief.”
Badal’s assertions came a day before the Akali Dal is all geared up to “elect” its president. Sukhbir Badal is set to be re-elected on the party’s top post.
However, Badal refused to speculate on the next SAD president. All he said that the SAD was a “democratic party and its president would be elected by the party delegates who would converge for this purpose tomorrow at Amritsar”.
On the issue bringing political parties under the ambit of Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Chief Minister said that the SAD has no objection.
“The Central Government is to take the decision on this matter,” he added.