Amritsar, Feb 22: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Chief Spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Sunday criticized Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, stating that the Akali leadership is engaging in “double-faced politics” to mislead the public. Addressing a press conference in Amritsar, Dhaliwal asserted that the Badal family has historically relied on recycled rhetoric and fear-mongering to maintain political relevance.
The AAP spokesperson noted a contradiction in the SAD’s stance on law and order, alleging that while the party promises to eliminate gangsterism, it has previously fielded relatives of known criminals as candidates. Dhaliwal declared that the roots of organized crime and the drug menace in the state deepened during the SAD-BJP tenure between 2007 and 2017. He maintained that the public is well aware of the past patronage provided to criminal elements for political gain.
Dhaliwal further questioned the Akali leadership regarding the functioning of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). He asserted that Sukhbir Badal must provide clarity on the 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and address allegations of financial mismanagement and land transactions within the religious body. “Instead of making dramatic speeches, the Akali leadership should answer the questions raised by the community regarding transparency in our sacred institutions,” Dhaliwal stated.
The MLA also noted that the Shiromani Akali Dal has seen a significant internal decline, with traditional families from Majha to Malwa distancing themselves from the current leadership. He affirmed that the party has been reduced to a narrow faction that no longer represents the mass movement it once was. Dhaliwal maintained that Punjab’s voters are politically mature and will not be swayed by attempts to normalize past controversies or selective silence on national issues.
