Being the first to raise the banner of revolt against the SAD leadership the eventually led to the formation of its another faction, party’s ‘rebel’ Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Tuesday broke his silence and sought votes for the BJP and its allies.
“Since the BJP has taken numerous steps for the welfare of Sikhs, both BJP and its allies deserve votes,” said Dhindsa who had resigned from all party positions last year due to differences with SAD chief Sukhbir Badal.
Dhindsa was not even campaigning for his son, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, who is contesting as SAD-BJP combine candidate from Sangrur Lok Sabha seat “against his wishes”.
He said that during five-year rule of the BJP, the Sikhs, particularly the 1984 riots victims, were given justice. “The government had constituted SIT that re-investigated the riot cases and one of the prime accused, Sajjan Kumar, besides others were punished. They are behind the bars. The other accused will also be punished,” he said.
Dhindsa added that the work to construct Kartarpur corridor has been started and it will be completed soon. He said that during the BJP government a major function to mark Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary was also held in Dubai.
When asked why SAD is not contesting parliamentary elections in Delhi, he said that the party has alliance with the BJP which is contesting on all seven seats in the national capital.
Asked about Punjab where SAD is an ally of BJP and that he resigned from all positions of SAD last year, Dhindsa said that the SAD-BJP alliance is very old and I along with SAD leaders have met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi many times on these issues.
“Since SAD is alliance partner of BJP, its candidates also deserve votes. I have sought votes for all allies, including SAD in Punjab, because to strengthen BJP and to save the country. People should vote for its all alliance partners also,” he said.