Terming the newly-formed Akhand Akali Dal as a branch of the Congress party, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said that the sole purpose of this Akali faction was to help the Congress party by weakening the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Badal, interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of his Sangat Darshan programme in Dera Baba Nanak Assembly segment, said that the timing of formation of this new Akali Dal was a “ploy” of anti-panth forces to cut the share of Akali Dal by misleading the people.
“During last few years, no one had even heard the name of the leaders of this party but now they have mushroomed up for benefitting the Congress in ensuing polls. However, the wise voters of state would never fell prey to the false propaganda of these parties,” said Badal.
At the same time, Badal said that the SAD was a votary of clean and value-based politics in a democratic system. “We are totally against the use of drugs and money power in the polls. Moreover, people of the state also reject this type of politics due to which the polls in state are always peaceful, fair and transparent,” he said.
Reacting on the ongoing war of words between the state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Badal said that both these leaders were “paper tigers” who roar only on social media.
“Both these leaders hardly work on grass root level and are totally ignorant about the problems of masses. Both the leaders believe in living a luxurious life style and are not even aware of basic rural life,” he added.
lashing out at Capt Amarinder and Kejriwal, Badal said that both the leaders were “chronic non-performers” who have totally failed in fulfilling the aspirations of people, whenever voted to power, and now, “these leaders are showing green pastures to people in the false hope of attaining power in the State”.
Coming down heavily on Capt Amarinder, the Chief Minister said that Congress’ debt waiver campaign was a “big fraud”. He said that Capt Amarinder was misleading people on this issue as it was impractical for any state government to waive off loan taken from banks.