Eyeing complete majority in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the senior leadership of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday jumped into the political battlefield of Dhuri with the strategy to directly attack the Barnalas. Both, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy son Sukhbir Badal, on Friday lashed out at former Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala. His grandson, Simarpartap Singh Barnala is contesting April 11 Dhuri by-election as Congress candidate.
Sounding the poll bugle, Badal accused Surjit Singh Barnala of “ditching” his parent party, SAD, by fielding his grandson on a Congress ticket. “Probably Barnala was the only leader, to whom the Akali Dal gave all respect and recognition. But in return, he ditched the party by fielding his grandson as an official candidate on the Congress party's ticket for Dhuri by-elections,” said Badal while talking to the media on the sidelines of function to observe 15th death anniversary function of veteran Akali leader Jasdev Singh Sandhu at Kauli village.
Badal said that Barnala could become Chief Minister, Governor, and Union Cabinet Minister only because he “originally” belonged to SAD. Meanwhile, SAD president Sukhbir Badal said: “Congress’ linkages with Barnala family which were always used against the state’s interests has finally been exposed with the family now contesting by-election from this constituency on Congress ticket.”
Sukhbir, addressing a gathering during an interaction with newsmen, said that contesting Dhuri by-election on Congress ticket by Barnala’s grandson was “not an act of isolation”. “In fact, it is a continuation of Barnala's close coordination with the Congress during the turbulent period in Sikh history,” he said. Sukhbir said that Barnala had “used” the name of late Sant Harchand Singh longowal to further his political career. “He never followed his ideals but instead used him to grab political power in Punjab in collaboration with Congress party,” he said.
“It is strange and even condemnable on the part of Barnala family that Simarpreet has been fielded on Congress ticket against SAD candidate Gobind Singh longowal, the political heir of Sant longowal,” said Sukhbir. SAD chief, in Dhuri, also oversaw the preparations for party campaign including welcoming Dhuri Congress block president Jarnail Singh, five Congress Sarpanches and six former Sarpanches into the SAD fold. He also asked SAD leaders to start campaigning in the areas assigned to them.
SAD MP and senior leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said that by-poll had provided an opportunity to the people of Dhuri to kickstart development of their constituency by electing a SAD legislator. He also lauded panthic credentials of Gobind Singh longowal as well as the heritage he represented.