Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday announced extension of the party's ongoing dharna at Harike Pattan in Ferozepur indefinitely to protest against registration of false cases against its leaders and workers at the instance of the Congress Government as well as the non-cancellation of the election process at four places where Akali workers were not allowed to file their nomination papers.
A party spokesman here said the SAD president, who is presently camping in Harike Patan after addressing a dharna at Manawala in Ferozepur to protest against false cases registered against party leaders and workers, has decided to extend the ongoing dharna at Harike Pattan indefinitely. Badal also served an ultimatum to the Congress Government to withdraw all false cases registered against party workers on Wednesday after Congress goondas attacked and shot at Akali leaders. He also demanded registration of cases against Congress leaders who had attacked Akali workers and indulged in arson.
The SAD president also demanded immediate countermanding of elections in the nagar panchayats of Manawala and Makhu besides municipalities of Baghapurana and Ghanaur. He said at all these places Akali workers were prevented from filing their nomination papers forcibly and that even their nomination papers were torn. Badal said in case the Government did not take these steps immediately the SAD would be forced to extend the scope of its agitation which was currently taking place.