Phillaur, March 27
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, on Thursday challenged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to ensure that the proposed 16,000 outreach meetings by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party are funded by the party itself rather than the state exchequer.
Badal said that failure to do so would indicate that the initiative is driven by “corruption” rather than public welfare. His remarks came in response to the AAP government’s plan to organise large-scale rallies and ‘nukkad’ meetings across the state to present its performance report to the people.
He alleged that, unlike previous governments, the current administration is using public funds and state transport buses to mobilise crowds for political events.
The SAD leader also raised concerns about alleged attempts by “agencies” to weaken both his party and Sikh religious institutions. He claimed that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had been undermined as part of a broader conspiracy, and pointed to similar developments involving management committees of religious sites such as Sri Hazur Sahib and Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
Badal further alleged that such elements had influenced religious authorities to act against him and even attempted to target him during ‘sewa’ at Sri Darbar Sahib. He asserted that he would not be intimidated, emphasizing that the honour of the party and the Panth remains his top priority.
Outlining his party’s vision, Badal said that if SAD returns to power, it would promote food processing industries and establish a World Skill University with district-level centres to train one lakh youth annually. He also promised interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for young people, revival of an expanded Atta-Dal scheme, and an increase in old-age pension to Rs 3,100 per month, along with a ‘Shagun’ allowance of Rs 1 lakh.
Additionally, he said that farmers without tubewell connections would be provided the facility, and a 75 per cent subsidy would be offered for dairy and livestock ventures.
Senior party leaders, including Bikram Singh Majithia, Hira Singh Gabria and Kulwant Singh Mannan, were also present at the occasion.
