Rajya Sabha MP and rebel Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Sunday accused the Badal family of being “hand in glove” with Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, saying that their business interests “remained unaffected” despite the Congress being in power in the
State. Dhindsa appeared to be responding to the allegations by Akali Dal leaders that he and his son Parminder Singh Dhindsa were being used as “pawns” by the Chief Minister and the Congress to “weaken” the SAD.
The Dhindsas were expelled by the Akali Dal for alleged anti-party activities on February 3, a day after holding a rally in their home turf — Sangrur.
Retorting, the Dhindsa father-son duo, along with various panthic leaders, on Sunday held ‘Save Punjab, Save Panth’ rally at the same place.
The rally was attended by SAD (Taksali) leaders Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Sewa Singh Sekhwan, SAD (1920) leader Ravi Inder Singh, former MP Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh, former president of Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Manjit Singh GK and former Akal Takht Jathedar Ranjit Singh.
Dhindsa and other leaders lashed out at the Badal family, accusing them of “damaging” the Akali Dal. “Everybody knows Capt Amarinder Singh and Badal family are hand-in glove. Everything is going on as it is,” Dhindsa said.
“I want to ask them (Akalis) how many Congressmen have come here today. Who are Congressmen? The whole world knows Sukhbir Singh Badal is in cahoots with Capt Amarinder Singh.
Nobody stops his (Sukhbir) bus and their buses are plying without permits as usual. Nobody touched their cable business even today,” alleged Dhindsa, adding their business remained unaffected. The Akalis only make statements against the Congress but "we will fight them," he said.
Referring to SAD’s February 2 rally in Sangrur, Dhindsa claimed that the Akalis had said that they organized the rally against the Congress government. “Did they speak against Congress? They spoke only against Dhindsa family. From this, it was clear who is with Congress,” he said.
Dhindsa said that the size of his rally was “much bigger” than the SAD’s. “Sukhbir you come here and see and this gathering is enough to break your arrogance,” said the senior Dhindsa. On February 2, the SAD leadership had accused the Dhindsas of “backstabbing” the party.
Dhindsa had rebelled against the Akali Dal leadership in a bid to “liberate” the SAD from the Badal family and revive its lost glory. He joined hands with SAD splinter groups, including the SAD (Taksali). His son too followed him.